Mary Louise Hawks Taylor

Mrs. Mary Louise Hawks Taylor, of Mount Airy, passed away Friday, September 6, 2024, at the age of 98. Mrs. Taylor was born October 11, 1925, in Surry County, the daughter of the late John Burley “J.B.” and Hessie Leona Calloway Hawks. Louise was a member of First Baptist Church in Mount Airy. With a beautiful smile on her face, she always loved spending time with friends, family, and church family. Mrs. Taylor was an extremely smart and determined business lady, who was Surry County’s first female realtor. Louise earned numerous awards and acknowledgements in her lifelong career. She did not know the meaning of quitting or leaving a job unfinished. Whether it be in the office or in her home, she worked hard until every client was satisfied and every family member fed. She took much pride in both her career and her home, as well as in looking her best on any occasion. Her battle with Polio at a young age never slowed her down or kept her from digging in as hard as anyone else. If anything, it made her work even harder to overcome not only that, but rising in a male-dominated business world at that time speaks but a small volume of her work ethic and strength. Though she may have been tiny, she was fierce. She is survived by her brother, Charles Hawks of Kodak, TN; her sister, Betty Ann Ausborne of Mount Airy; her stepdaughter, Lynn Beach of Charlotte; her granddaughter, Julie Goad of Columbus, OH; her niece, Linda Eastwood of Knoxville, TN; her nephews, Daniel Hawks of Nashville, TN, and John Hawks of Seiverville, TN; a host of great-nieces and great-nephews; along with a “second daughter,” Sharon Greenwood Reid. She also considered her son-in-law’s family just as her own, including Clyde “Nubbins” and Judy Goad, Amy Goad Cotter, and Kimberly Goad Sauter. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Taylor was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Taylor; her daughter, Deborah Smith Goad; her son-in-law, Bryan F. Goad; her stepson, Jimmy Taylor; and her brother, Bill Hawks. A service of remembrance will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Surry Community Health and Rehabilitation Center in Mount Airy. The family will have a memorial service at a later date in Knoxville, TN. Her body will be laid to rest beside her late husband at Oakdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Research Foundation, 191 Waukegan Road, Suite 105, Northfield, IL 60093. Louise accomplished many things in her 98 years on this earth. She was truly a legacy in her own right. She will be missed. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.