In loving memory of Ruth Taylor: 1957-2022 

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Ruth Ann Taylor, an Endicott resident, passed away at the Whitman Hospital in Colfax, Washington on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, from complications of pancreatic cancer. She was 65. She was born June 2, 1957 in Centralia, Washington to Melvin and Viola (Ankrom) Keely. 

She married David Taylor on May 28, 1977 in Portland, Oregon. They moved to Wallowa, Oregon and lived on David’s family ranch for about six months and then lived on a dairy farm in Forest Grove, Oregon. David and Ruth moved to Clarkston, Washington in October of 1979 when David got a job at the Lewiston paper mill. Their daughter was born there in May 1980. David received another job transfer to St. Helens, Oregon that summer and they lived there until son Walter was born in January of 1985. Shortly after that the family moved to Hermiston, Oregon where they remained until David’s job transferred David, Ruth and Walter to the Vancouver, Washington area in August of 1999. They lived in the Brush Prairie and Washougal area until 2017 when the kids and grandkids convinced them to move to Endicott, Washington. 

While living in Hermiston the family was involved in the Umatilla Sage Riders Horse Club where Ruth held multiple positions on the board of directors including president, secretary and treasurer. Ruth was a horse 4-H leader for several years and a volunteer for 4-H and FFA events her children participated in. 

After moving to the Vancouver, Washington area both Ruth and David became involved with the Clark County Saddle Club, Cowboy Church and the Vancouver Rodeo. Ruth was also involved with the Clark County Rodeo Bible Camp and was a rodeo queen chaperone. 

Ruth worked for many years in both Hermiston and Vancouver for tax accounting offices where she was office manager. David and Ruth decided to move to Endicott, Washington to be closer to both of their children and their seven grandchildren that lived in Whitman County, Washington. Ruth enjoyed spending her time in her sewing room, watching the grandchildren grow up and attending various sporting, 4-H and FFA events for them. 

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Melvin Forest Keely, Sr. and Viola Grace Ankrom Keely; sisters Patty Ann Waterman, Joyce Zaugg and Jackie Smith; and brothers Anthony Keely and John Campbell. She is survived by her husband of 45 years David Taylor, of Endicott, Washington; children Laura (Larry) Jones, of St. John, Washington, and Walter (Ashlee) Taylor, of LaCrosse, Washington; seven grandchildren Austin, Dakota and Keely Jones, of St. John, and Tanner, Tucker, Taylee and Tinlee Taylor, of LaCrosse, Washington; sister Lisa (Ted) Kelley, of St. Helens, Oregon; and brothers Joe (MaryLou) Smith, of Bonney Lake, Washington, Loren (Dorothy) Campbell, of Bend, Oregon, Melvin (Jerrie) Keely, of Hermiston, Oregon, and William (Carmen) Keely, of Henderson, Nevada; as well as numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at the St. John Methodist Church followed immediately by a luncheon reception and the graveside service will follow that at 2:30 in the Endicott Cemetery. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the American Cancer Society, the Clark County Rodeo Bible Camp (P.O. Box 822140, Vancouver, Washington, 98682), or to a local 4-H or FFA program. 

An online guest book is available at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is in charge of the arrangements.