Sharon Kern Taylor

It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of our wife, mother and sister, Sharon Kern Taylor on December 23, 2023. She has left a legacy that will be felt by many, her family, her students, teachers, and aides she worked with, and anyone who uses the Little Library in Franklin.

Sharon was born on August 11, 1948 in American Fork, Utah to Earl and Edith Kern of Preston, Idaho. She was the first of what would be four children born to Earl and Edith. Karl joining a couple of years later. After her father graduated from BYU, the family moved to San Francisco, California where Earl began his career with US Steel. The family eventually moved to Palo Alto where they welcomed two more children, Scott and Traci. Earl and Edith moved across the country to Bethel Park, Pennsylvania so that Earl could continue his career. It would be here that Sharon graduated from high school before attending BYU.

While at BYU Sharon met a young man, Michael (Mike) Taylor, who would eventually become her best friend and the two were sealed in the Oakland, California Temple on August 25, 1971. The young couple lived in Santa Rosa, California for their first couple of years together, and it was there that they welcomed their first child, Nathan. Mike took a job with the CIA as a photographer and the small family moved to Arlington, Virginia. It was here that their second son, Aaron, joined them.

The couple decided that they would both like to go back to school, so they packed up their two sons and moved back to Provo, Utah so they could attend BYU. Sharon worked on her teaching degree while Mike worked on his MBA. It was during these years that their next two children were born, Benjamin and Isaac. Isaac’s birth almost coincided with the family’s move to Detroit, Michigan where Mike had accepted a position with Rouge Steel as a salesman.

Southeastern Michigan (first Detroit and then Clinton) was to become the epicenter of Mike and Sharon’s family for almost twenty years. It was while in Detroit that Sharon and Mike welcomed the last four children to complete the fabled Taylor Ten: Abigail, Adam, Zachary, and Sharon Bethany. While at BYU Sharon finished her degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Needs Children. In Detroit she put that degree to use as she began to teach children with special needs, a love that resulted in Sharon working on and graduating with a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Siena Heights College in 1997.

Following moves to Illinois and then to Idaho, Sharon continued to teach special needs children with compassion, creativity and professionalism. Sharon’s final place of teaching was Oakwood Elementary in Preston, ID where she taught until her retirement in 2018. She never stopped being the advocate for the children under her stewardship.

The family enjoyed summer vacations to Preston and Santa Rosa, including a couple of trips captained by Sharon as the sole driver and adult. She loved joking with her children and grandchildren; all of us will remember her smile and laughter. As a mother of eight, her patience was often tried, but through it all none of her children or grandchildren ever questioned her love for them.

Sharon was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in various callings and leadership positions throughout her life and loved the opportunities to serve. She was an example of charity and kindness as she strived to follow the example of Jesus Christ doing good continually and helping to lift the hands which hang down.

Sharon has left a legacy of kindness and learning. Her example of helping those in need will never be forgotten. We miss her every day, but know that she is with her parents (Earl and Edith Kern), brother Scott Kern, her father-in-law Hal Taylor, and her sister-in-law Robin Platt.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Michael, her children: Nathan (Marci) Taylor, Aaron (Michelle) Taylor, Benjamin (Anne) Taylor, Isaac (Jennifer) Taylor, Abigail (Daniel) Andersen, Adam (Julie) Taylor, Zachary (Bianca) Taylor, and Sharon Bethany (Shandon) Brinkerhoff. She also leaves 25 grandchildren. Sharon is also survived by her brother Karl B. (Martha) Kern and her sister Traci (Jeff) Cline.

Sharon’s Memorial Service will be on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 11 am at the Cub River Canyon Chapel, 5307 East Cub River Road, Preston, Idaho. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com.