WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Ina Rae Taulbee, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, October 23, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.
She was born March 16, 1937 in Garrett, Kentucky daughter of the late Raymond and Dealie (Hughes) Laferty.
Ina resided in Sturgis since 1963 coming from Garrett, Kentucky, where she was a graduate of Garrett High School with the class of 1955. She furthered her education at Caney College in Pippa Passes Kentucky.
On December 27, 1988 she married James E. Taulbee in Jellico, Tennessee.
Most all of Ina’s working life was as an administrative assistant and in quality control. She retired from Bronson Precision in Bronson and had also been employed by the Transogram Company, Harter Corporation, and Sutton Tool, all in Sturgis.
Ina took pride in serving her community as a city commissioner from November of 2007 to June of 2018.
She enjoyed rides in the countryside and through the mountains of Kentucky. Ina was a true Christian lady that found great joy in helping others and she was one that never met a stranger. Ina was happiest and most content when she was surrounded by her family. She took an early retirement so she could spend more time with her granddaughters. She always referred to Jim, her daughter Angie and granddaughters Jessica and Kristin as being the loves of her life.
She is survived by her loving and dedicate husband: James; daughter: Angela Sexton Flint of Sturgis and her twin daughters: Kristin (Matthew) Harter of Sturgis and their children: Bailey, Patrick and Lydia Harter and Jessica (Junaid) Jamkhanewala of Mumbai, India and their children: Aisha and Maria Jamkhanewala; daughter: Sandy (David) McFarland of Berea, Kentucky and their children: Levi (Carla) McFarland, Isaac (Brooks) McFarland, Samuel McFarland and Hannah (James) Wheat and their children: Jude Poynter, Ivor, Mack and Boone Wheat; son: James (Lynette) Taulbee of Stanton, Michigan and their children: Nick Taulbee, Hailey (Ben) Haines and Max Taulbee (who preceded Ina in death) and his son: Elliott Taulbee; son: Tom (Robin) Taulbee of Grosse Ile, Michigan and their children: Luke, Heather, Nathan and Dylan Taulbee; brother-in-law: Doug Elkins of Bronson, Michigan and several nieces and nephews including special nephews: Chris Lawson of Sturgis, and Scott Laferty of Alma, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Camilla Faye Lawson and Patricia Ann Elkins and brothers: Buford Laferty and James Ray Laferty.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, October 27th and 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 28th at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St. in Sturgis where funeral services celebrating the life of Ina Rae Taulbee will begin at 1:00 Saturday. Chaplain Barrett Lee of Rose Arbor Hospice will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Taulbee’s memory consider Rose Arbor Hospice Kalamazoo, 5473 Croyden Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49009.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
