Elizabeth “Beth” Edling Taylor
Elizabeth “Beth” Edling Taylor was born on March 10, 1929 in Malanje, Angola, to pioneer Methodist missionaries. After graduating from Houghton College, she worked for Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Schenectady, NY, where she was spiritually revitalized by the Reformed doctrines of grace. She also served as camp secretary for Peniel Bible Camp in upstate New York where she met and married Gordon Taylor in 1961. Beth joined Gordon in Northern India where they served as missionaries for 40 years with the Reformed Presbyterian Mission which became World Presbyterian Missions and then Mission to the World.
In India, Beth raised four children of her own and was ‘Auntie’ to hundreds of children in The Children’s Home, Bhogpur. Her ministry included visiting the sick, shut-ins, widows, lonely, and single mothers; she led Bible Studies and Sunday School classes for women and for children; for a few years, she taught Latin at Woodstock School; she also served on the boards of several Christian institutions in India. Beth was a prolific correspondent and communicated with a considerable number of people all over the world. She had a love for and a keen interest in everyone the Lord brought before her. Her prayer ministry was powerful. Beth is known for her quiet, but generous spirit. Her meek and dedicated service touched many more lives than we can know.
In 2000, Beth and Gordon moved to Chattanooga, to be near family and to continue ministry in a different capacity. For many years, they returned to India annually where Beth taught VBS at The Children’s Home. On a weekly basis they were involved in Mountainview Presbyterian Church, Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, and New City Fellowship. They had loyal support for the work in India from many churches across America and visited them regularly.
Beth entered the Lord’s rest on the Lord’s day, October 23, 2022. She followed her husband’s homegoing by just over five years.
She is survived by her four children: David Livingstone, Martin Luther, Calvin Knox and Susanna Wesley and their spouses and 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren as well as Geeta Grace and many spiritual children.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Forest Hills Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, 316 N. Bragg Ave., Lookout Mountain.
Arrangements are by Wann Funeral & Cremation Center at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo, 423 821-7551. To share memories, photos or condolences please visit www.wannfuneralhome.com.