Margie C. Taylor

Margie Cochrum Taylor, 99, of Owensboro, passed away at Cedarhurst Senior Living of Owensboro on August 6, 2026, just nine days shy of her 100th birthday.

Margie was born on August 15, 1926, in Farmington, KY, the oldest daughter of the late Lester B. and Carrie Sisson Cochrum. She was valedictorian of her high school class and went on to attend Murray State University and business school in Mayfield. She then worked for the Graves County attorney and the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., before returning home to western Kentucky after World War II. It was then that she rekindled her relationship with Ralph Nelson Taylor, who had recently returned home after serving in the Battle of the Bulge and the occupation of Germany.

On December 23, 1947, the two were married at the home of Margie's parents in Farmington, in a small ceremony with family and close friends.

Margie and Ralph moved to Lexington, where Ralph finished his degree at the University of Kentucky, and Margie worked as a clerk at Eastern State Hospital. Their daughter Sheila Kaye was born in Lexington just thirteen months after they married. They briefly lived in Frankfort before moving to Owensboro. In 1951, Ralph took a job with Texas Gas before their family grew with the addition of Anita Carol, who was born in 1955. Owensboro would become their permanent home.

Margie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She spent countless hours sewing, including making elaborate outfits for her daughters and their dolls, and later enjoyed golf, bridge club, and gardening. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, where she belonged to the Couples Class and taught Sunday school to the 7-year-old class for more than 40 years. She was also a member of the Utica Homemakers Club.

She and Ralph raised flowers together for years with a specialty in roses that brought a personal touch for their granddaughters’ weddings and special Sunday events. After Ralph’s death, Margie took over the care of his 55 rose bushes.

Margie and Ralph lived in Owensboro for more than fifty years and remained close to friends they made through Texas Gas, church, and Margie's 40+ year career with the Social Security Administration. They spent winters in St. Petersburg, Florida, enjoyed international travel, visited with friends, enjoyed neighborhood parties and gatherings, and were always willing to help family and friends when needed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of almost 66 years, Ralph N. Taylor; and sisters Carolyn Thurmond and Norma Jean Dicks.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Sheila Depp (Bob) and Anita Santillo (Michael) (Dubuque, IA), six grandchildren, Tip Depp (Candy) (Louisville), Dr. Ginger Cline (Matt) (Pearland, TX), Tod Depp (Kate) (Cedar Park, TX), Keri Howard (Brian) (Lexington), Giovanna Santillo (New York City, NY) and Nick Santillo (Dubuque, IA); ten great-grandchildren, Geneva Cline (Austin, TX), Trey Howard (Lexington, KY), Edward Depp, Jr. (Louisville, KY), Delaney Cline (Pearland, TX), Olivia Depp (Cedar Park, TX), Victoria Depp (Louisville, KY), Reygan Howard (Lexington, KY), Oren Depp (Cedar Park, TX), Ani Depp (Cedar Park, TX), and Nina Santillo (Dubuque, IA); and brother, Milton Cochrum (Nicholasville, KY).

Margie’s celebration of life will be held 12:00 Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm Friday and from 10:00 am until 11:30 am Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Owensboro Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to thank Cedarhurst and Hospice staff for their wonderful support and care.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First Baptist Church Music Ministries or First Baptist Church Children Ministries, 230 J R Miller Blvd, Owensboro, KY 42303, Sunrise Children’s Services, 3180 W Parrish Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301, or Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathens Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Memories and condolences may be left for the family of Margie Taylor at www.glennfuneralhome.com