GRACE TAYLOR EUBANKS

April 11, 1933 - November 17, 2023

Grace Jane Taylor began her adventurous journey in St. Louis, Missouri. She was welcomed by her parents Harold John Taylor and Evelyn Charlotte (Linhardt) Taylor and two siblings, Evie and Harold.  She joined a large close-knit and active Catholic and Christian Scientist family.

Grace spent her entire childhood in St. Louis. In those years she enjoyed motor car rides, charcoal drawing, tennis, swimming, and kite-flying. Weekly Sunday dinners were a highlight surrounded by her parents and extended family. Grace learned her life-long love of cooking at her grandmother Augusta's side. Grace said the German meals  "Often included my favorite Uncle Milton singing off-key while the aunts and cousins tried to dance to his out-of-pitch voice.!"

Each summer her family spent a month at a cabin on Lake George in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. They set up jumping off the dock & hide and seek games. Grace reluctantly learned to fish and enthusiastically learned to swim.

Grace's first job was stacking vegetable and fruit cans at the family's grocery store. Her father was one of the original creators of the food chain called IGA (Independent Grocers Association.) He frequently traveled around the state to recruit small new family food stores to join. During high school, Grace sometimes accompanied her father on these well-remembered sales calls.

In 1956 Grace graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She was the Chapter and National president of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She was especially proud of the volunteer efforts of her house. Grace continued that volunteer passion throughout the rest of her life.

After graduation Grace worked for CBS Radio Broadcasting. She was then recruited by United Press International newswire.

On August 24, 1956, Grace married Robert Eugene Eubanks, an Air Force lieutenant. Over 26 years, they moved 17 times in the United States and Canada. Grace embraced the Air Force life and travel. As a "Stay-at-Home Mom" Grace thoroughly enjoyed the lives of their four active children. From sewing, numerous Halloween costumes, to photographing baseball games and swim meets, to being a Den mother and a Girl Scout leader, to teaching Sunday school, to making maple butter to slather on morning pancakes and leaving little "Friday Surprises" and notes" in her children's school lunchboxes…

She continued her passion for writing in various forms, freelance for National GSUSA, community newsletters, and church bulletins. And in 1982, Grace realized her dream of owning a newspaper and founded the Lakewood Press, and later the University Press.

During the latter 1980s, Grace began her career in the State of Washington.  She held several positions that challenged and intrigued her. Working under Governors Booth Gardner and Mike Lowry she worked as a speech writer. She moved into lead public relations for the Department(s) of Libraries, DOT, and Fisheries.

Grace was invited to join the City Club of Tacoma. She was a Hostess for Kappa Kappa Gamma volunteer and reunion events in Seattle. She was a press contributor for the Girl Scouts.

After her retirement, Grace remained active in her other passions: Faith- at Fircrest Presbyterian Church; Jazz- as a member of the Tacoma Jazz Society; Hospitality- in her neighborhood and at local Starbucks (!); Politics- supporting local campaigns and environmental issues including Chambers Bay; and Grandparenting- always with style and a big heart.

Grace passed away just after 4:00 pm, in time to have a glass of good Cabernet with the Angels!

Grieving and missing and remembering her are:

CHILDREN: Robert Eugene Eubanks Jr. (Amy Marie), Ann Taylor Gengel, William Harold Eubanks (Ela), Amy Louise Eubanks

GRANDCHILDREN: Taylor (Jason), Annalie, Janey (Hollis), Travis, Alex

GREAT GRANDCHILDREN: Elizabeth, Odin, Miles

NIECE AND NEPHEWS: Jane Bartlett, James Bartlett, Daniel Taylor

A Memorial Service be held at:

Fircrest Presbyterian Church

1250 Emerson Street, Fircrest, WA 98466

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:00 am

with Brunch to follow

THE FAMILY IS REQUESTING NO FLOWERS, PLEASE.

IF SO DESIRED, DONATIONS TO FIRCREST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Grace was a woman ahead of her time and gave Life one incredible run.