Helen Boggs Taylor

Helen Boggs Taylor was born on December 15th, 1940 in Jefferson City, Tennessee. She departed this earth on Thursday, August 21, 2025 in Knoxville at the age of 84. Helen declared Jesus as her Lord and Savior and is enjoying heaven with Him now and for eternity.

Helen was the youngest of 4 children born to Graham Boggs and Billie (Nelson) Boggs. The family was often on the move as Graham worked on several dam projects, including Fontana Dam and Norris Dam, but they eventually settled in the community of Medford on the outskirts of Lake City, Tennessee. As a young girl, Helen spent many days following her father around their homestead, watching him work, and she often stated “I learned a lot from my Daddy”. There were also many things that Helen learned from her mother, and sewing was one of the skills she was taught and continued to use throughout her life. Growing up, Helen made a lifetime of memories with her siblings, her Nelson cousins, and many friends. When she started school, Helen began to play organized basketball, and she had many stories of her days playing forward on the court. Helen graduated from Lake City High School in 1958 and received a Cosmetology diploma from the Tennessee School of Beauty in 1961. Later that year Helen married Norris Taylor and the day after their wedding they departed for Arizona as Norris served in the United States Army.

Helen was a proud military wife, and she experienced great joy as she traveled alongside her husband while serving their country. She particularly loved the time they spent in Germany, where they were stationed for 3 years (1964-1967). One of the most remarkable parts of this story was that they met Benny and Helene Witt while on the military ship to Germany, and this began a lifelong friendship. In November 1969, Helen earned the beautiful title of “Mother” when she and Norris welcomed their one and only child, Mark Anthony, into their family. Their life of adventure continued until Norris retired from the Army in 1978, at which time they returned to their roots in East Tennessee. When Norris sustained traumatic injuries in a serious motor vehicle accident in 1983 Helen assumed the role of dedicated caregiver, faithfully caring for her husband for two decades until his passing in 2002. In 2006, Helen met Norman (Bob) Clowers, and for 17 years they shared a beautiful companionship until Bob passed away in 2023.

Helen was proud to be a member of the Powell community and enjoyed 40 years in her beautiful home in the Broadacres neighborhood. She was very creative and intentionally decorated her home for each season and holiday. She enjoyed painting ceramics and had a large collection of pieces that she had worked on over the years. She spent a great deal of time studying genealogy and could often be found traipsing through cemeteries in and around East Tennessee. She enjoyed singing and purchased her own karaoke system to entertain at home. She loved to travel to the Smoky Mountains in Sevier County and could play a mean game of putt-putt. And Helen loved yard work, riding her lawnmower and maintaining flower gardens brought her great joy. Helen was very intelligent and serious when she needed to be, but it was her sense of humor and spunk that really drew people to her. When asked to describe Helen, “feisty” with a “no-nonsense, tell it like you see it” attitude sums it up.

In addition to Norris and Bob, Helen was predeceased by her parents Graham and Billie Boggs, her brothers CW and Gerald Boggs, her sister Shelby Campbell, and several cousins. Helen is survived by her son and daughter in law Mark and Lisa Taylor and her beloved grandchildren Samantha and Logan Taylor, all of Knoxville and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Helen will also be greatly missed by her best friend of 60 years Helene Witt of Killeen, TX.

Helen’s family would like to thank: Dr. Mark Johnson and his staff at Powell Family Physicians for providing her with exceptional care for more than 2 decades; the members of Black Oak Heights Baptist Church for the love, prayers, and acts of service during the last several years; the staff at MeadowView Senior Living in Clinton, TN for ensuring that Helen had a safe and comfortable home for the last year of her life; special caregiver Patti Graybeal who loved and cared for Helen during the last 6 months; the staff at Shalom Hospice of Tennessee for their support and compassion for Helen and her family over the last 6 weeks.

The family will gather at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Rocky Top, TN on Saturday 8/30 at 10:30am for a funeral procession to Leach Cemetery. A graveside service will begin at 11:00am with Don Hughes officiating. All who knew and loved Helen are welcome to attend.