Paulette Evon Taylor, 77, of Festus died April 29, 2025, at Crystal Oaks Skilled Nursing Facility in Crystal City. Ms. Taylor was a school bus driver and a cosmetologist. Born Oct. 7, 1947, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Eva (Burke) and Paul Hale.
She is survived by her ex-husband: Donald Taylor of Arnold; three children: Darren (Karen) Gaertner of Arnold, Rick Gaertner of Pevely and Deana (Nick) Brown of De Soto; a sister: Sherry Summers of Barnhart; eight grandchildren: Brandon Gaertner of Arnold, Miranda (Matthew) Kren of Wiesbaden, Germany, Amelia Gaertner of Arnold, Lucas Gaertner of Pevely, Christian Gaertner of Pevely, Chloe Gaertner of Arnold, Summer Gaertner of Arnold and Henry Brown of De Soto; four great-grandchildren: Dominic Helling-Gaertner of Arnold, Olivia Kren of Weisbaden, Lila Kren of Weisbaden and Bonnie Popp of Arnold; a daughter-in-law: Michelle Barnes of Arnold; a nephew: Richard (Jean) Summers; and four nieces: Tracy Barlow, Jessica Barnes, Tara Steffens and Alycia Maasen.
She was preceded in death by a son: Daryl Lee Gaertner; six brothers: Paul Hale, Michael Hale, Jesse Hale, Frederick Hale, Denny Hale and Walter Hale; and three siblings-in-law: David Summers, Judy Hale and Terri Hale.
A private celebration of life will be held Sunday, May 18, at Gracelife Chapel, officiated by Pastor Steve Williams. Burial will be in Mount Hope in St. Louis.