Mrs. Billye Ruth Taft

Mrs. Billye Ruth Phillips-Taft, 81, of Kansas City, MO, was born May 20, 1944, in Wichita Falls, TX, to Willie Edward Jones Sr. and Edna Lee Phillips-Dorsey.

Billye graduated "Class of 1962", from L'Overture High School in McAlester, OK. She moved to Kansas City, MO in late 1962.

Billye worked for Internal Revenue Service until her retirement in 1978. She also worked at Wayne Minor Clinic for several years and at Bartel Hall as a manager for several seasons. Billye earned a certificate and worked as a CNA and Home Technician from late 1980's - 2013. 

Billye loved the Lord. She was a member and served at Barker Memorial Cathedral of Praise COGIC, under Bishop John Mark Johnson. Later in life she joined and served at Bales Temple COGIC, under the leadership of Elder Daryl Long. She loved reading her Bible, sewing, gardening, cooking, football and game shows like, Wheel of Fortune and Steve Harvey's Family Feud.

Billye joins in death: both of her parents, Willie E. Jones Sr. and Edna L. Phillips-Dorsey; her twin siblings, Willie Edward Jones Jr. and Willie Edwina Jones, a sister, Virginia Jones, her husband, Hurbert Marshall Taft and several beloved grandchildren. 

Left to cherish Billye's fond memories are her children: Karen D. Woods of Lakewood, CO, Angelo D. Nelson Sr. of Independence, MO, Tjuana "TJ" R. Nelson of Independence, MO, Tracey L. Nelson Sr. of Kansas City, MO, and Daniel T. Taft Sr. of Jefferson City, MO.; her siblings: Leonard Jones of Kansas City, MO, Benny G. Cubit Sr. of Kansas City, MO, Clifford Jones (Daisy) of Kansas City, KS, Bebely Canady of Kansas City, KS, Britta Humphrey (David) of Kansas City, MO, Wilene Jones of Kansas City, KS, Larry Thomas of Oklahoma City, OK, Hannah Jones of Houston, TX, Yvette Jones of Kansas City, MO, Kelli Goodspeed of Kansas City, MO and Bobbi Jones of Kansas City, MO.

Billye also leaves to cherish: twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other loving family and friends.