Malissie "Missy" Ophelia Taylor

Malissie “Missy” Ophelia Taylor, 53, of Ivanhoe passed away October 16, 2021.

Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, she lived in Ivanhoe for many years.  Missy taught special needs children for many years, worked in security before working for the City of Ivanhoe as the city secretary.  She not only was the city secretary but served as the Ivanhoe City Marshal’s Office secretary helping with the day to day paperwork and making sure that “YaYa”, the drug enforcement dog, was well taken care of with lots of love and treats. 

Missy was a crafter among crafters.  What many people called junk; she saw a treasure and could turn it into a work of art.  She especially loved scrapbooking, sewing, cross stitching, her favorite characters, Stitch and Eeyore, and going to her favorite ballet, “The Nutcracker Ballet”.  She loved white roses and tiger lilies.  Missy had a laugh that made the room light up.  She was loved and respected by the people she worked with and will be greatly missed.

Missy was preceded in death by her father, William Keller Gaines and her other child, her dog Sassy Taylor who she loved dearly.

She is survived by her mother, Alethea Craven; step father, John Craven; sons, Allen Taylor, II, Shaun Littlejohn-Taylor and his husband, Isaac Littlejohn-Taylor, Brian Taylor and his wife, Nicole Taylor; grandchildren, Austin Taylor, Allison Taylor and Zayla Taylor; sister, Crystal Rhoades; brother, William Gaines, II; and numerous other family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 3 pm at the Riley Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Jay Abernathy officiating.  Visitation will be held Saturday from 2 pm until 3 pm.

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