Mary was born to Mary (Conoley) and John D. McCluer on August 30, 1932 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She was their only child. Her early childhood was spent in Lumberton, NC, Pittsburgh, PA, and Ruffin, NC. Her adolescent years were spent in Charlotte, NC. Mary graduated from Central High School in Charlotte, NC in 1951. Mary attended one year at Queens College (University) in Charlotte. After college, she worked as a receptionist at Lance Corporation in Charlotte. It was in Charlotte where she met her beloved husband, W. Frank Taylor.

Mary and Frank raised four boys in Mobile, AL, Petersburg/Chester, VA, Matthews, NC, and Greenville, SC. Mary was a devoted mother and wife. Mary was active in the communities where she lived. In Greenville, SC, she worked at Belk, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She also made sure all four of her sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

In 2015, after the loss of her husband, Mary relocated to Sunrise Assisted Living in Severna Park, MD to be closer to her sons and grandchildren living in Maryland and Virginia. At Sunrise, Mary was active playing Bridge and Trivia. Mary was also a voracious reader especially of historical fiction. Mary was a member of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Her four sons, John, Jim (Robin), Jeff, and William "Chip" survive Mary. She has five grandchildren: Patrick, Eva, Abby, Ben, and Christopher.

Mary will be buried with her husband at MJ "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC on March 4, 2021. A Memorial Service will also take place at a time and place to be determined.