Virginia “Marie” Dobbs Taylor, 1932-2023
IMB Photo

Virginia “Marie” Dobbs Taylor, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Kenya and Liberia, died May 30, 2023. She was 80.

Marie was born July 22, 1932, in Jenks, Oklahoma, to the late Carl and Eula Dobbs. She studied at Draughon School of Business and IMBSBC Bible School.

She met John Taylor on April 19, 1952, and married him on July 18, 1952. Together they raised three children before going to the mission field.

After hearing multiple people talk about the need for laypeople on the mission field, the family began to feel the call of God on their lives to missions. When John found out that his skills as a machinist could be used of God to reach the nations, they began to answer that call.

“We then knew God could use whatever talents or qualifications we might have for ‘with him all things are possible.’ We sought our pastor’s advice and sent an open letter to all of the missionary organizations we knew about. We are willing to try, with His help, to go anywhere and do anything He wants us to do,” Marie wrote while seeking appointment with the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board).

In 1976, the Foreign Mission Board appointed Marie and John missionaries to Kenya. They served in different countries throughout North Africa and the Middle East for 32 years.

Marie was preceded in death her husband, John H. Taylor.

She is survived by her children, Carl Edward Taylor (Faith), Steven Kent Taylor (Paula), and Jeannie Marie McMichael; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held June 7, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Jenks, Oklahoma.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity.

Read an obituary here.