Mabel Willis Taylor, 97, of Clanton, departed peacefully into heaven on Oct. 26.

She was born in Chilton County on July 27, 1917, to the late Napoleon B. Willis and the late Isabel Cleckler Willis.

“Mama Bill” as she was known to her family, “Taylor” to some, “Bill” to her siblings, was known for her independence and “doing it her way.”

She had to overcome the loss of her mother at age 17, at which time she became the matriarch of the family.

After the death of her husband in 1970, she continued to successfully maintain the produce and cattle farm, as well as her family. Her love of nature and God’s creatures has been passed along to her immediate family.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Taylor McDaniel of Destin, Fla.; sister, Lois Feller of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Doug Matthews, Dana Matthews, Amy Matthews and Kelli Bice; four great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Morris Taylor; sisters, Pat Hogan and Evelyn Cummings; brothers, Erby Wilis, Jack Willis, NB Willis and William Willis.

Graveside funeral services will be held Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in the Concord Baptist Church Cemetery in Clanton.

There will be no visitation.

Final care and arrangements entrusted to Ellison Memorial Funeral Home of Clanton.

www.ellisonmemorialfuneralhome.com.