Lynn Taliaferro Mills

Lynn Taliaferro Mills, 83, of Ramona passed away peacefully in her sleep at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, on October 20th, 2023. She was born Lynn Dele “Lindy” Adams in Archer City, Texas to Benjamin Frank (Ben) Adams and Mattie Lee Adams (Atchley). 

Lynn graduated from Archer City High School in Archer City, Texas in 1958 where she excelled in sewing and cooking and was crowned Miss Future Homemaker of America with the FHA. Soon after graduation, she began her career as a stenographer at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) in Wichita Falls, Texas where she met and married Jerry Wayne Taliaferro, the father of her children. Her son Jerry Lynn was born in Wichita Falls in 1960. The family moved to Port Neches, Texas and Toni Lee was born in Port Arthur in 1962. Lynn settled in Beaumont, Texas to raise her children and started a new career at Lamar Electric Company, where she worked first as a stenographer and then as an electrical estimator for large refinery projects. Over her 25 years at Lamar Electric, she rose to Vice President alongside the president, owner, and her life partner Fred (Frank) Dillahunty. After Frank’s passing, Lynn continued working as an electrical estimator in the petrochemical industry with Stubbs, Overbeck, and Associates and Bechtel Engineering in Houston. After retirement, Lynn moved to Rancho Bernardo outside of San Diego to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Here, she obtained her real estate license and worked with McMillan Real Estate for several years. She was also a docent at the San Diego Museum of History and toured elementary schools with other docents helping young citizens know and understand native wildlife and plants. She was a proud member of the San Diego Epiphyllum Society and the proud owner and caretaker of many rare and colorful “epis”. 

Lynn had an extensive plant collection and was very good with all plants. She was often consulted by friends and family members to revive their ailing plants or to plan a garden or patio setting. She was also an excellent cook and specialized in flavorful, classic Southern dishes. A group cooking class and trip to Italy increased her knowledge but didn’t hold a candle to her own recipes. In her retirement, Lynn enjoyed traveling to Palm Springs and up and down the California Coast with her friends Chris, Bobbie, Patti, Karen, and Lori. She was always up for a weekend to Palm Springs for antique shopping and pedicures, or anywhere along the coast of Mexico and the Baja Peninsula to sample cuisine and culture. One of her favorite all-time activities was showing her grandchildren how to cook and care for plants, and holding elaborate annual Valentine’s Day tea parties throughout the years for her granddaughters and their friends. 

Lynn is survived by her children, Jerry Lynn Taliaferro (Shirley) and Tony (Toni) Lee Taliaferro of Ramona, California; her brother Ben “Butch” Adams (Jan) of Lakeside, Colorado; four grandchildren - MacKenzie Brooke Taliaferro of Los Angeles; Faith Kiley Taliaferro Nundy (Joel) of Leeds, England (UK); Naomi Danielle Taliaferro of Ramona, California; and Luke Anthony Taliaferro of Ramona, California. She is also survived by

her uncle Norman Smith (Kay) of Brenham, Texas; and niece Monnica Jeanne Green of Temple, Texas. 

Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Toni Jeanne White Rosenbrock, her aunt Kay Smith, the father of her children Jerry Wayne Taliaferro, life partner Fred (Frank) Dillahunty, and husband Larry (I.L.) Mills, all of Texas. 

A celebration of Lynn’s life and legacy with tea and hors d’oeuvres will be held at 2:00 PM on November 5th, 2023 at Schwaesdall Winery, 17677 Rancho De Oro Drive, Ramona, California. The family requests that you come “dressed for a casual tea” in her honor. Light snacks will be served and wine by the glass is available for purchase at the winery. “Pot Luck” items are welcome, but not expected. If you are unable to attend in person and would like to attend virtually or have words read on your behalf, kindly let the family know so we can plan accordingly. 

Bonham Brothers and Stewart Mortuary of Ramona handled Lynn’s requested cremation. In the Spring, her children and Lunn Funeral Home of Texas will inter her cremains at Restland Cemetery in her hometown of Olney,Texas, to her final resting place near her lifelong friend and confidant, her beloved Aunt Kay. Per her instructions, some ashes will be reserved for her family to set free to a small list of specific locations.

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