Marjorie Rae (Sloniker) Taylor

Marjorie R. Taylor passed away, at the age of 86, while surrounded by family in Ceres, CA, on Friday, February 21, 2020.

Margie was born on August 25, 1933 in Iowa to the late Raymond and Margaret (Ainslie) Sloniker, Bamber.

Prior to graduating from high school in Tuolumne, California in 1951, she was the Tuolumne Jubilee Queen.

She married the love of her life, Willis “Guy” Taylor July 26, 1956. They were married for 17 years, before he was killed in a truck accident in 1973. The devastating loss of her husband left her as a widow to raise five children. Eventually she remarried James Earl “Jim” Inks in 1975. Margie had her youngest son in 1978, who she would raise on her own.

Margie was a talented gymnast and was passionate about teaching her children and others how to do gymnastics. After years of teaching, she decided to put herself through college to obtain a degree so she could be a Gymnastics Coach. She graduated from Merced College at the age of 45.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Willis “Guy” Taylor, her parents, Raymond and Margaret Sloniker: her siblings, Richard Sloniker, Avonell Moore, Norvin “Pinky” Bamber, Philip “Buzzy” Bamber, David Bamber, and Mary Floyd; her grandparents, James Ainslie and Nellie Bly Drew Ainslie; and her adopted son Billy Cummings.

Margie leaves behind a family who truly loves her. She is survived by her Children; Philip Taylor, of Modesto, CA., Terry (Keith) Humphres, of Ceres, CA., Karen (Alan) Ritter, Guy (Sharon) Taylor, of Waldron, AR., Peggy Taylor, of North Fork, CA., and William “Billy” (Dianna) Inks, of Tulsa OK.; her sibling; Nancy Howell, of Deer Park, WA., Louise Zoulin, of Chico, CA., and Robert Bamber; 20 grandchildren, 63 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Margie lived her life to the fullest; no one was a stranger. She had a way of winning you over with her conversation. She touched so many lives, in California and in Arkansas. If you ever needed anything, she always had it. She was a collector of many things. She loved stopping at yard sales and spending time with her family. She enjoyed playing cards; unfortunately, she would make up the rules as the game went on, therefore she would always win.  

Margie taught Gymnastics, tap, baton, Scouting, softball, 4H and anything she could to keep her and the children busy. She was well known in the Ceres community. She taught in local parks and community centers until she settled down in the Salvation Army in 1970. There her Gymnastics team grew up to 150 students. Margie proudly became a Salvation Army Solider in 1987 and later taught the Jr. Soldiers, Sunbeams and Girl Guard troops, where she would teach the children about God’s love. Although Margie had many children and grandchildren of her own, she took in anyone who had a need. She shared the love of Jesus with everyone she met. She took in the outcast and rooted for the underdog. She was such an encouraging woman. She would teach you how to believe in your dreams, in yourself, and to never let anyone hold you back.

Margie was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 74, but she was a fighter. With the love and support from her loving family, she lived for 12 years with the terrible disease. She never let anything stop her and is a matriarch to her family.

Franklin & Downs Ceres Chapel is honored to serve the Taylor family. A viewing will take place on Saturday, February 29th at 11:00 AM with the Funeral Service at noon; located at Franklin & Downs 2561 5th Street Ceres, CA. There will be a precession to Carter’s Cemetery: 19042 Cemetery Ln. Tuolumne, CA, where Margie will be laid to rest. A Celebration of Margie’s life with a reception at The Feather House in Tuolumne will immediately follow the graveside service.

The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to Melissa Trost, who would help take care of Margie; all the nurses and staff at Community Hospice, and to all those who showered Margie with love and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in Marjorie Taylor’s name to The Salvation Army Modesto Red Shield Community Center, Community Hospice, or Alzheimer’s Association.    

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.