Lula Mae (Taylor) Free

Lula Mae (Taylor) Free, 94, of Greenfield, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 at home.
 
She was born August 27, 1930, in Greenfield, the daughter of Charles and Naomi (Blaine) Taylor.
 
Lou was a 1948 graduate of Buckskin High School. After graduation she moved to Columbus where she lived at the YWCA and attended Columbus Business College. She was hired as a receptionist and switchboard operator at the Columbus Pharmaceutical Company. She loved living in the city and exploring life there with her friends from the Y.
 
In 1954 she moved back to South Salem to get married. She became a farm wife, mother, and active member of the South Salem Presbyterian Church. Lou played the piano and organ. She was part of the music ministry and played at Sunday services for many years.
 
Her weekdays were full. In the mid 1960s, she helped found the family business, TTC, Inc.
 
She handled all aspects of office work, from billing to banking to human resources, all from her home office. The office was always “open,” with customers calling on the family phone line in the early days. Her organizational skills and professional abilities served her well.
 
The other hours of her days were full of family-related activities. In the summer she enjoyed planting flowers and always had a carefully manicured lawn. In the summer there were always 4-H projects to help with, and Vacation Bible School. During the school year she helped keep her daughters where they needed to be, with schoolwork and extracurricular activities. She was always willing to bake cookies for school parties, a skill that was always appreciated throughout the years.
 
For fun she shared a special evening each month during the school year with friends from the neighborhood, playing Canasta. The same group of eight women shared life and cards for over 50 years. In the 1970’s Lou joined a Wednesday morning bowling league with two other women. They called themselves The Trio and enjoyed their three games and lunch every week for several years.
 
After her retirement, Lou enjoyed a job as a tour guide at the Adena Mansion and Gardens, in Chillicothe. She loved doing special school tours in the spring each year. Her love of reading led her to serve on the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library Board of Directors when she lived in South Salem. She was a regular at her local branch.
 
Lou moved to Greenfield in 1994, and soon after began her favorite role as a grandmother. She loved babies, and enjoyed every minute of her time with Taylor, Henry and Annie.
 
She is survived by three daughters: Melanie (Philip) Dawes, of Greenfield, Joan Free of Greenfield, and Tracy Free Becht of Granville. Also, three grandchildren: Taylor John Becht, Henry (Claire) Becht, and Anne Mira Free.
 
She was preceded in death by one infant son, Karl David Free, two brothers, Charles Taylor and Harry Taylor, and both parents. Also, by the father of her children, K. Karl Free.
 
Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, 457 Jefferson St., with Pastor Mike Anderson officiating.
 
Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the church.
 
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Adena Health System, 2077 Western Avenue, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.
 
The Murray-Fettro Funeral Home in Greenfield is serving the family.
 
Condolences may be sent to www.murrayfettro.com.