Martha Hays Taylor

Dr. Martha Hays Taylor died at age 88 in New Orleans on October 26, 2013. One of the first female physicians in the South, she was born Martha Elise Adams on January 20, 1925 at Kings Daughters Hospital in Gulfport, MS. She was the only child of artist Martha Elise Kerr and Fred Roy Adams, an engineer with Bell Telephone Co. who served the US Army in Europe in both WWI and WWII. Martha graduated from Dufrocq School, Baton Rouge High School and LSU, finishing in three years before completing LSU Medical School in New Orleans. She did her residency in Pediatrics at Charity Hospital.
A beautiful, charming and intelligent lady who was also an accomplished cook, she was introduced to her husband, Arthur Vernon Hays, Jr., M.D. by his cousin Hunter and her husband, Harold G. Tabb M.D. While raising their three children in a beachfront home in Gulfport with the help of Onie Evans and Mamie Cook, Martha was able to pursue her medical practice as the Harrison County Health Officer, supervising clinics and vaccination programs, seeing patients and providing prenatal care. The family loved Catahoula hog dogs, trips to Cat Island on the ""Slo Boat,"" and the putting green in their front yard. After Hurricane Camille, they lived in a trailer during home repairs. Martha shared with close friend Margaret Allen Moyse a hairstyle that featured a bun on top, as well as a taste for a drink they invented, gin and Wink.
Following A.V.'s untimely death in 1980, she married Dr. C.D. Taylor, Jr. of Pass Christian after his wife died. They lived happily at C.D.'s home, ""Wildlife Manor,"" blending C.D.'s eight children with her own. She and C.D. maintained an active social life on the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans, creating many fond memories surrounding Mardi Gras, GYC and PCYC events, Little Cayman Island, and celebrations at Galatoire's served by Richard and Imre. She was a former Queen of Merry Maskers and President of Revelers as well as active in the Four Seasons Garden Club, Gulfport Junior Auxiliary, Culture Club, Le Petite Salon and, with C.D., the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.
After C.D.'s death, she moved back to her home in Gulfport only to see it completely washed away by Hurricane Katrina. After returning to Pass Christian for several years, she moved to Lambeth House in New Orleans with her beloved poodle, Lulu.
Martha is survived by her three children: Arthur (Debbie) Hays of Gaithersburg, MD; Martha aka ""Ookie"" (Jim) Cooper of Nashville, TN, and Mary (Steve) Peller of New Orleans; also eight grandchildren: Christopher Peller; Mary, Jamie and Hayes Cooper; and Ethan, Abby, Evan and Isaac Hays.
Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian, followed by the funeral service at 11, then burial at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the Pass Christian Historical Society or Order of St. Lazarus.
The family would like to express its deep appreciation to the wonderful staff at Lambeth House and Notre Dame Hospice for their compassionate care.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport assisted the family with arrangements.
Tributes may be offered to the family and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com