Sunrise, August 21, 1948 - Sunset, July 18, 2026

Deborah Ann Taylor of East Moline, IL, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2026, surrounded by her family at the Kahl Home in Davenport, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday July 25, 2026 at Second Baptist Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to service time at church. Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Monday July 27, 2026 in Rock Island National Cemetery, those wishing to attend should meet at 10:30 AM Monday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island.

Deborah was born on August 21, 1948, in Freeport, Illinois to Robert Bruce Sr. and Vivian E. (Franklin) Bruce. The oldest of three children, she carried her family's values of love, strength, and devotion throughout her life. Deborah confessed her love for Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Freeport, IL. After graduating from Freeport High School in 1966, Deborah earned her bachelor's degree in secondary education from Western Illinois University.

On August 7, 1971, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Herbert A. Taylor in Freeport, IL. Throughout their 54-year union, they built a life and loving family together. They were blessed with two sons, Scott and Shaun, whom they raised with the love of Christ and unwavering support.

After beginning her career as a teacher, Deborah embarked on a stellar 37-year career at John Deere. She began at John Deere Harvester Works in 1973, excelling in various roles before being promoted to the Deere & Company Headquarters, where she held managerial roles in Supply Chain Management, Trademarking, and Human Resources. In her final role at Deere & Co, Deborah served as the company's first Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion.

Despite her many career accomplishments, Deborah was most proud of fulfilling her role as a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and helper. She was known for her faith, kindness, resilience, leadership skills, mentorship, and dedication to her immediate and extended family. She also enjoyed traveling, shopping for the latest fashions, reading, dancing, volunteering and was an avid sports fan. Her favorite team was the Chicago Bears, but her greatest sports passion was cheering for her two sons throughout their youth, high school, and college sports careers.

She was a faithful member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Freeport and the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Moline before joining the Second Baptist Church of Rock Island, where she served as a Deaconess, choir member, and Director of Christian Education among other positions.

Deborah's legacy lives on through her husband, Herbert Taylor; her sons Scott (Nicole) Taylor and Shaun (Tiffany) Taylor; grandchildren Khari, Kendall, Kennedy, Scott Jr., Madison and Andrew; greatgrandchildren Khalani and Khari Jr.; sister Donna (LeRoy) Bruce-Burrell; brother Robert (Gay) Bruce Jr; siblings-in-law Oather Taylor Jr., Frances Taylor, Geraldine “Geri” Taylor, Katherine Cain and Mary Burris; aunt Elizabeth Furdge; Godsons Wesley and Jacobie Julian; special friends Joyce and Hewell Colvin; adopted mother-figure Mrs. Mary Ramsey and the many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Sr. and Vivian Bruce; parents-in-law Oather Sr. and Ines Taylor; siblings-in-law Carl Cain, Lemuel Russell Taylor, David Taylor, Carolyn Maxine Edison, Oliver J. Edison, Beverly Taylor, K.C. Jones Jr., Roosevelt Banks and Catherine Banks.