Ollie Mae Maxwell Taunton, 97, of Crossett, passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at her home.  She was born on June 20, 1923, to her parents, Lin and Lula Forrest Maxwell.  She was a lifelong resident of Ashley County and attended Community Chapel Baptist Church for many years.

She was the youngest of sixteen children and learned about hard work at an early age by working on the family farm. 

Once married, she and her husband, Bill, continued the farming tradition with their children, sharing their valuable skills and working together as a family. 

Although working as a family was important to Ollie Mae, worshipping as a family was essential.  Ollie Mae made sure her children attended church on Sundays and often followed services with regular Sunday evening rides to visit neighbors. 

Ollie Mae loved to talk and visit.  She never had the desire to learn to drive in her ninety-seven years, but instead, kept Bill busy driving her to each and every grocery store to shop the sales, but mostly to visit with people.

She enjoyed fishing, hunting, quilting, sewing, and cooking for her family, often taking meals to the sick.  She stayed very active and was usually the first to rise and the last to go to bed.  She was a true matriarch who loved her family and especially loved her grandchildren.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Emory Bill Taunton, one son, Willard Dewayne “Sonny” Taunton, two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and fifteen brothers and sisters.

Her survivors include one daughter, Archolar Duncan (Buddy); and three sons, Billy Charles Taunton (Elizabeth), Elton Taunton (Norma), and Ricky Lynn Taunton (Fannie “Jo”) all of Crossett; along with 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; numerous great, great-grandchildren; and her special companion, "Butchie".

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 22, at Medders Funeral Home outside underneath the awning, with Bro. Mike Chain officiating, Pallbearers are Michael Taunton, Emory Duncan, Sam Taunton, Jeremy Taunton, Brad Taunton, and Barry White, Honorary pallbearers are Ronald Dean Forrest and Bobby Jenkins.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., before the service.

Medders Funeral Home is complying with the CDC and the Arkansas Governor’s mandates regarding funerals and visitations and asking everyone to practice social distancing and refrain from any physical contact.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Those that are considered high risk, running fever, or have been recently exposed to someone positive with COVID-19 are encouraged to stay home to protect themselves and others.

A downloadable service program will be available at the bottom of this page the day of the service.