Elaine Amanda Taylor, 76, of Steelville, MO passed away Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville. She was born May 19, 1933 in Steelville, MO to Bryan and Amanda (Heiss) Showalter. On June 2, 1955 at the First Baptist Church in Steelville, she was united in marriage to James "Jim" Taylor and to this union four children were born. Jim preceded her in death on September 25, 1999. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Cynthia Ann Gladden and husband John of Marthasville, MO, Deborah Sue Walls and husband Rick of Steelville, MO and Jennifer Elaine Shaw and husband John of Fenton, MO; and one son, Bryan Allen Taylor and wife Lanette of Liberty, MO; ten grandchildren, Beth Houf and husband Todd, Emily Gladden, Stephanie House and husband Jason, Matt Gladden and wife Meaghan, John Shaw, Jerry Walls and fiance' Summer Young, Anna Rose Gladden, Lauren Taylor, Renee Taylor and Caleb Taylor; one great-grandchild, Paul Houf; one sister, Barbara Carroll of Steelville, MO; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Art Howald, John Taylor and wife Carolyn, Wanda Halbert and husband Carman all of Steelville, MO, Bill Taylor and wife Pauline of Austin, TX, Mildred Farmer and husband Lee of Glen Carbon, IL, Georgia Helderman and husband Wayne of White Water and Patsy Havens and husband John of St. James, MO; nephew, Kent Howald and wife Betty Ann of Steelville, MO; other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her adoptive mother, Artie Showalter; her husband, Jim; sister, Sue Howald; brother-in-law, Jesse Carroll: and niece, Katherine Howald Kenagy. Elaine was a member of the First Baptist Church in Steelville for many years and served on the beautification committee, was a GA Leader and Camp Counselor. She was active in city government and served on the Steelville city council from May 2002 until April 2008. She was also a member of the Aim High Club, Garden Club and Rainbow Girls and was a volunteer in raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For twenty-five years, Elaine was the owner of Elaine's Flowers and enjoyed that time serving the public. Visitation was from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Steelville, MO with Rev. Kevin Farr officiating. Special music of "How Great Thou Art" and "To Where You Are" was sung by son, Bryan Taylor and accompanied on piano by Jan Weisel. Other music of "Blessed Assurance" was sung by the congregation. Memories were shared by Bryan Taylor, Dr. Cardis Bryan, Kent Howald and Cindy Gladden. Committal prayer and burial were in the Steelville Cemetery. A special ceremony of a balloon release was done by Elaine's children, grandchildren and great-grandson with everyone singing "I'll Fly Away." Honored to be casket bearers were Bryan Taylor, John Shaw, Matt Gladden, Jerry Walls, Todd Houf, Jason House, Caleb Taylor and Rick Walls. Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church of Steelville Youth and Children's Ministries or the American Cancer Society. The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.