Bernice Taylor

      Bernice Taylor of Essex, Missouri was born on December 19, 1939 to the late James Shaw and Ernestine (Harris) and passed away on October 2nd, 2025 in Sikeston, Missouri at the age of 85 years old.

      Bernice lived in Essex most of her life. She met Cleveland Taylor and they were united in marriage in 2006 in Essex, Missouri. Bernice was a homemaker and cared for her husband and children daily. She was a member of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Essex, Missouri and enjoyed life's little pleasures of fishing, gardening and sewing quilts. She loved her family and will be greatly missed.

      Surviving family include four sons: Iasiah Dennis of Parma, Missouri, Alonzo (Salena) Harris of Columbia, Missouri, Archard Dennis of Sikeston, Missouri, Anthony Dennis of Columbia, Missouri, three daughters: Jannie Bell of Sikeston, Missouri, Tina Norwood of Columbia, Missouri and Viola (Joe) Lott of Sikeston, Missouri. She had thirty-three grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. She had two brothers: Benny (Geneva) of Elkart, Indiana, Oscar Shaw of Malden, Missouri, four sisters: Alfreda Shaw of Malden, Missouri, Elsie (Charles) Hester of St. Louis, Missouri, Dorothy Shaw of Malden, Missouri, Fannie (Henry) Farr of Malden, Missouri.

      Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, one son: Vincent Dennis, two daughters: Brenda Dennis, Angela Dennis and two brothers: Lee Shaw and Joe Shaw.

      Visitation will be held Saturday, October 11th, 2025 at 10:00am at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

      Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 11th, 2025 at 12pm at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

      Burial will immediately follow at the Macedonia Cemetery in Malden, Missouri.