Page 62 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

Following a
C and Mary Lou Taylor
celebrated their 70 wedding
th
Ranniversary on June 5, 2019.
Born near Oden, Arkansas and
raised near Allen, Oklahoma, RC
had been discharged from the
Army and was attending Oklahoma
A&M College (later known as
Oklahoma State University). At
a party, he met the sweet and
pretty Oden High School graduate,
Mary Lou Dunaway. She came
62 Lubbock Senior Link
Commandment
with Promise
by Pam New
There’s that elderly couple again, making their way around the block.
We see them nearly every evening when the weather is pleasant.
He grips her arm, careful lest she fall. She smiles and points to the
retaining wall where they will stop and rest a minute at the end of the
block. They wave to traffic and speak to passersby. “What a beautiful
evening it is,” she comments. They make their way back to the house,
sure-footed, but slower than they used to walk. His back is slightly
bowed, but he still walks confidently. At 94, he feels thankful he does
not need a walker or cane. She is healthy at 90 and happy they are still
living alone in their home with minimal assistance. Aging in place has
always been their desire. They never realize what an inspiration they
are to those in the neighborhood.
with another guy, office manager in the Amarillo
but the gregarious office. Mary Lou missed her beloved
RC talked her into trees in Arkansas. Another transfer
letting HIM take her took them to Hobbs, New Mexico in
home! “Talking” was 1953, where she lamented that there
something he was were even FEWER trees!! During a
good at. As a young huge sandstorm, a daughter, Pam,
teenager, RC was was born there. Their last move
pestering a visiting with the company brought them to
insurance man on his Lubbock, where they have lived ever
dad’s farm. As his since. Their son, Rod, was born here
dad tried to redirect in 1956.
him, the salesman
smiled and said, Being able to talk to anyone
“Let that boy talk. carried RC through three careers!
Someday, it will After retiring from Burrough’s, he
make him a living!” started calling on cotton gins and
The man spoke other businesses for Ennis Texas
prophetically. Tag Company. Twelve years later,
he retired again and began to sell
Mary Lou soon left advertising independently. Even at
town to attend Henderson State 94, he still maintains a few accounts,
Teacher’s College at Arkadelphia, so total retirement is still not on the
Arkansas. A year and a half later, radar! Talking certainly DID make
RC and Mary Lou married, after him a living!
he graduated from Oklahoma State
with an accounting degree. Mary Lou always enjoyed sewing
and making homemade pies for
Following their marriage in 1949, supper every night. She became
RC began a new job with Burrough’s an active and dedicated children’s
Business Machines in Oklahoma Sunday School and VBS teacher in
City and soon was promoted to every church they attended. For