Vida Mae Taylor, 102, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Friday, June 21st, at Reflections Retirement Resort, Salina, Kansas where she resided for the past four years.

Vida and her identical twin sister, Vera, were born in Quinter, Kansas on June 14,1922 to the late Fern (Watts) and Solon Elice Merica. Vida graduated from Winona High School before attending Fort Hays State Teachers College. Vida went on to teach school in Kansas until moving to Wichita in her early twenties where she met and married Firmie “Bud” Taylor, Jr. Serving as an Army wife until the end of World War II. Vida and Bud then moved to Western Kansas and began a life of living off the land and raising three children, teaching them the value of honesty, integrity, and hard work.

Vida was often described as a “classy lady” by those who knew her. She was kind and loyal to all who were fortunate to call her their friend. Vida was meticulous about her physical appearance and loved dressing well and never “having a hair out of place.”

Vida was preceded in death by her husband, Firmie “Bud” Taylor, Jr. in 1981 and her parents, three brothers and one sister.

She is survived by her twin sister, Vera Fox of Seattle; and her children, Phyllis Pickel (Tom) of Salina, Kansas, Melvin Taylor (Lee) of Milligan, Nebraska, and Wade Taylor (Sherry) of Baldwin City, Kansas.

Surviving grandchildren, Amy Purcell, Garrett Taylor (Brooke), Lisa Taylor, Aaron Taylor (Kim), Ryan Taylor (Anne); ten great grandchildren; and family friend Barb Chaffee.

Vida’s wishes were to be cremated and graveside services will be held at the Winona Cemetery, Winona, Kansas at 11:00 AM, Friday, June 28.

Donations may be made to Bethesda Lutheran Church, Page City, Kansas or to the donor’s choice, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 South Ohio, Salina, Kansas 67401.