Peggy Taylor

Peggy Martin Taylor, 86, passed gently from this world on January 3, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith and devotion to family that will never fade. She is now resting in God’s perfect peace. She was born October 16, 1939, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Lawrence and Martha Martin. Peggy was a 1957 graduate of Young High School. She met her husband Larry Taylor on a blind date that he secretly arranged, convinced she might become someone special. His instincts were right. They celebrated their 61st anniversary in November 2025. They were blessed with two beloved children, two adored grandchildren, and a treasured newborn great-grandson.

In their earlier years, Larry and Peggy traveled to many countries together, including Mexico on their honeymoon, as well as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Brazil, and Italy. Peggy devoted many years to being a homemaker and was known as a wonderful cook who made sure dinner was on the table every night. She later began working as a special education teacher’s assistant. This role sparked a lifelong passion for children, especially those with disabilities. She eventually moved to Junior Primary at John Sevier Elementary School, finding great joy in seeing students begin the year unsure of their letters and end it proudly able to read.

Peggy’s greatest joy was her grandchildren. She was a tremendous help when they were babies, and she spent countless afternoons and summers caring for them as they grew. There was rarely a ceremony, game, or performance that she would miss. Her personal goal, as she often said, was to see her granddaughter graduate high school, her grandson graduate college, meet a nice girl, and get married. She had a front- row seat for every one of these milestones. She received a precious bonus with the birth of her great-grandson on December 16, 2025. Her final weeks were filled with studying every new picture of him and proudly sharing the news with everyone she encounted.

Peggy never met a stranger, and when she moved to Brookdale Browns Creek in 2024, they made her a resident Welcome Ambassador. She wore her nametag proudly. She loved to serve others. She spent many years as a caregiver to her mother and several special family members, made the monthly birthday cake for her mother’s facility long after her mother passed, and volunteered to serve food to the homeless. Though she faced many health challenges through the years, Peggy met each one with remarkable strength and determination. She cherished the daily phone calls from her children, always turning the conversation towards how everyone else in the family was doing. Even on her hardest days, she found joy in hearing about their lives. She maintained a zest for life that reflected her deep faith. She was a mighty prayer warrior and a member of Alcoa First Methodist Church.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Mike Martin. She is survived by her husband Larry; her daughter Tammy Taylor Blaine and her husband Alec; her son Randy Taylor and his wife Teresa; her grandson Taylor and his wife Caroline; her granddaughter Sophie; her great-grandson Caldwell; her sister-in-law Marilyn Williams and her husband Glenn; her niece Kristi Barber and her husband Ken; and special nephews and cousins.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Brookdale Browns Creek, the staff of Gentiva Hospice, Dr. Komal Kirpekar and staff, and special friend and Sunday-school teacher Judy Humphry for their exceptional care, compassion and friendship. Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on January 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm, at the Grandview Pavilion, 2304 TuckaleecheePike, Maryville, Tennessee, 37803. In lieu of flowers and to honor Peggy’s love of special education, donations can be made to younglife Capernaum at https://capernaum.younglife.org/