Hazel Lucille (Rogers) Taffner, 88, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2025, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, she was surrounded by the love of family and friends during her last days.

Lucille was born on February 5, 1937, in Jasper County, Missouri, to Richard (Dick) and Helen Rogers. She was preceded in death by her husband James (Jim) Taffner, eldest son James (Jim)Taffner Jr., second son William (Bill) Taffner, great grandson Camden Mathes, and her oldest sister Barbara (Rogers) Koop. She is survived by three sons, Robert (Bob) and Tammie of Carthage, Thomas (Tom) and Ryan Taffner of Joplin MO, Richard and Tink (Albright) Taffner of Mountain Home AR, Brother Richard “Bud” and Sherian Rogers of Carthage MO, Sister Joy and Butch Stahl of La Russell MO, Sister Donna Lane of Carthage MO, as well as a huge family of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends that were always considered family.

She was known as Sis, Mom, Nanna, and Aunt Sissy. Over the years she helped raise many generations of children, molding the lives of more than 80 children and extended family. Her home was always open to anyone and was the gathering place for family and friends for nearly 70 years. She was absolutely the happiest when there was barely room to stand in her house for gatherings of family and friends with the air filled with laughter. The door was always open and there was always extra food prepared at every meal, just in case someone stopped by the house, which was generally the case.

Lucille cherished her time at Church with her family and friends. She worked for more than forty years at Big Smith, where she was known as “Lou” and retired as the “floor lady.” She loved making porcelain dolls, and sewing, with a passion for making embroidered quilts for her family and friends. Over the years, she lovingly made hundreds of quilts which were treasured gifts for family, friends, and countless newborns in her church community. She had a knack for turning every hobby into a production line, pulling everyone around her into the fold, and running her “volunteers” like a union shop. If you knew her, you most likely helped dress and string a doll or two, helped with a quilt, or any other project she had going, and dare not slow the line down.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 26, at Mason-Woodard Chapel in Joplin, with a private interment next to her husband and two sons.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Christ’s Community Church of Joplin.