Flora Traylor

Flora Anita Traylor, “Flo”, as she was known to all, departed this world early Saturday morning, after sharing her last beautiful smile with her children. She is survived by her daughter, Denise M. Traylor and husband, John Whetsell, of Houston, TX/Telluride, CO; Richard Marion Traylor IV and wife, Cynthia Ann “Cindy” Traylor of Huntsville, TX; and grandson, Stewart “Alex” Whetsell. She was predeceased by her parents, Stewart Parnell Charley and Flora Emma Cramer Charley; husband of 67 years, Richard Marion Traylor III; son, Charley Lawrence “Larry” Traylor; sisters, Helen Marie Aden, Dorothy Cornett, and Lucille Corgey.

Flo was born in Westfield, TX. When she was four, the family transferred to Huntsville, TX, with The Boettcher Mill, where her father was head of shipping and receiving. Flo’s mother, also named Flora, had sisters named Nora, Cora and Elzora Cramer. Elzora was the wife of Baldwin Boettcher, owner and operator of the mill.

Flo was the youngest of four girls and really didn’t talk much, so the story goes, until she was almost three, as her sisters answered for her and competed on who could baby her the most, earning her the nickname “Baby Flo.” She loved to tell the story of the church Christmas pageant using her as the Baby Jesus!

She graduated from Huntsville High School and then attended nursing school in Houston and Kerrville. She met her husband, R.M. “Rim” while on a double date and they married on December 13, 1952. They had three children, each about 12 months apart, and she spent the next 20 years being a wonderful mother who was always there for her children.

Flo had a beautiful voice and, as a teenager, often sang on the radio with her friends. She later was a member of the Conroe First Methodist Church choir where she also worked as church secretary. She was loving and kind and had the prettiest smile that lit up a room.

It was with sadness and heartache that her loved ones watched her return to “Baby Flo” as dementia took over in her last years. The family is deeply grateful to the caring staff at Heritage Oaks, Conroe, where she resided for the past few years; and to Terrie Sprencel Davis and Gayle Makinney who lovingly helped her during her last years.

There will be a graveside service at The Hardy Cemetery on Wednesday, November 9th, at 11 a.m.  followed by her 97th birthday party at Heritage Oaks, and a Celebration of Life honoring both Flo and her husband, R.M. on Friday, November 25th from 4:30- 6:00 at the Saltgrass Steak House in Conroe.  The family hopes that you can join in the celebration.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org, or the charity of your choice.