Arlie P. Taylor Gandy

Arlie P. Taylor Gandy

Mercer-Adams Funeral Service

Arlie Gandy passed away peacefully on February 6, surrounded by her family. She lived 93 years of a beautiful life. She was born to Julia (Wesson) and Joseph Octor Taylor, along with two sisters and four brothers. Her father died when she was eight years old and her mother raised all seven children with a remarkable strength of spirit and perseverance in central Texas during the depression under conditions of extreme poverty and hard work. Arlie was shaped for life with a deep commitment to family and home, and a belief that with gumption and hard work, one could do almost anything.

When she was nineteen years old, she married Alvin Gandy. Aside from the fact that she was beautiful, he loved her spunk and sincerity. Wherever they lived, she made it home - across Texas in Dublin, Monahans, Brownwood, Dallas, Ft Worth, and in later life, Indianapolis, San Antonio, Kansas City, Detroit, Miami. While in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, they had three daughters. Through the years, sons-in-law and grandchildren rounded out her family, and along with many family friends, they all came to call her Mema.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin, her daughter, Jetta, three brothers and two sisters. She is survived by daughters, Judy and husband Winford Akins; Joyln and husband Mickey O'Neill; and her close family - Damon Akins and sons Hollis and Reuben; Emily Akins and Sergio Moreno with daughters Julia and Clara; Tyler Thomas and daughters Ling and Minli; Hilary O'Neill; Christopher and Bailey O'Neill; Jo (O'Neill) and Max Gleason; and her dear friend and daily caregiver, Carol Johnson. She is also survived by many members of her beloved Taylor family, including her brother Joe; and members of the Wesson, Gandy and Cox families.

She will always be cherished for the unconditional love she showered on everyone around her. She was a gifted listener, entering deeply into the joys and sorrows of each of us. She was the master of mighty and lasting hugs and handshakes. Her faith in God was indisputable and unwavering. Ever gentle and always direct, no one ever wondered what she believed. To be in her prayers was pure grace and one of life's great blessings.

She loved the music of her early years and in her later life sang a 'new' song every day - from memory - every verse and chorus of every hymn and all the songs of the '40s. As she came closer to the end of her life, in her last moments, all of her singing turned to songs of heaven.

She leaves us with vivid memories of flower gardens and a trellis of abundant pink roses; fabrics, quilts, ruffles and lace; favorite foods on special occasions; amazing stamina and daily optimism. Her love made the everyday and the simple profound.

Her family is ever grateful to her caregivers - Carol, Sara, Rosa, Patricia, Diana, Melanie, Lena.

Viewing will be Wednesday, 9am-9pm, with family present from 5-7pm at Mercer-Adams. Services will be Thursday, February 12, 2:00pm at Mercer-Adams Chapel with interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.