Blanche Taylor McMullen

Funeral services for Blanche Taylor McMullen will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Providence Baptist Church, 11708 Providence Road, Shreveport, Louisiana. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana on Monday, December 15, 2025. Burial will be held at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery. Officiating the service will be Brother Joe Bob Alexander.

Blanche went to be with her Lord on Friday, December 12, 2025, after a multi-year battle with renal failure. She was 80 years old. Blanche was surrounded by all of her children, grandchildren, and extended family members in the days prior to her death.

Blanche was born on June 28, 1945, in Center, Louisiana, to Odell Childers Taylor and John A. Taylor. She was raised in Joaquin, Texas, and attended Joaquin High School. When she was just 16 years old in 1963, she met the love of her life, Donavon “Ray” McMullen. They were married in October of that same year. Though they later divorced, they spent the last 25 years living next door to each other, and Blanche lovingly referred to Ray as her "boyfriend" in the hospital. Ray continued to care for her, including driving her to the grocery store—a ritual they lovingly called "Driving Miss Daisy." Blanche, in turn, loved to cook breakfast for Ray almost every morning and care for his home.

Blanche was a woman who loved big and was always able to make you laugh with her famous sayings and quick wit. She was a dedicated and respected professional, graduating from the Northwest Regional Police Academy in June 1984. She worked at a bank and Dillard's before finding her true calling as a Deputy with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Department at the Caddo Parish Detention Center. She loved her job until an on-the-job injury led to her early retirement. She also cherished her weekly trips to the beauty shop with her sister to visit with Millie and Beth.

She had a passion for entertainment that included a love for Dr. Pepper, watching Westerns, and enjoying older gospel music. She also loved Doo-Wop music, including artists like the Duprees and The Platters, and enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk, all of which she loved to play on her VCR. Blanche was a fan of anything that featured Doris Day and especially loved watching natural disaster movies. She loved writing letters to everyone and anyone and frequently watched Gone with the Wind numerous times, especially with her granddaughter, Shelby.

Family and food were central to Blanche's life. When her children were young, she loved working with them on livestock projects for the fair, even brushing their animals' hair like a certified beautician to get them show-ready. She was famous for her incredible cooking and baking, including her fudge, peanut butter candy, and pineapple upside-down cake. Her love extended to all creatures; she made sure everyone, including the animals, always had plenty to eat. She especially spoiled the donkeys who lived on the farm, who knew they could always expect a treat, often getting a laugh from Blanche as she watched them "suck the noodles up" when she fed them spaghetti.

Blanche was preceded in death by her parents, Odell and John A. Taylor; her sisters, Frances Ann Lawson and Johnnie Ruth Taylor; her brother, Harold J. Taylor; and her sister, Wincie Worley.

She is survived by her beloved sister, Edith Stone, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Blanche’s greatest legacy is her family. She is survived by her four children and their families: Don McMullen and his children, Katelyn Headrick (husband Kyle, and children Hallie and Lyndie), Colleen Ruiz (husband Antonio), Cory McMullen, and Casey McMullen (wife Kara, and son Camon), Sharon McMullen Myers and her husband, Terry, and children Jon Michael Stickland, Matthew Anthony (wife Ana, and son Taylor), Marie Simpson, Samuel Myers, and Benjamin Myers, Harold McMullen and his wife, Cat, and their daughter Rachel Nelson (husband Brad, and children Tristan Tidwell and Cadence Deleon), Jason McMullen and his wife, Amy, and their children Shelby Wells (husband Quade, and son Hunter), and Logan McMullen.

The family would like to extend a special thank you for the exceptional love and care provided by the dedicated Willis-Knighton Medical teams, including those in the Emergency Room, on 2 West, and her weekly infusion team on the 4th floor. A heartfelt gratitude is extended to Dr. Le for his compassionate care and dedication to keeping Blanche comfortable throughout her illness. The family is also deeply grateful for the care and assistance received from the Caddo Parish Fire District #3 over the years.

Honoring Blanche as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Casey McMullen, Cory McMullen, Logan McMullen, Matthew Anthony, Quade Wells, Brad Nelson, Antonio Ruiz, Kyle Headrick, and Jon Michael Stickland. Serving as honorary pallbearers are the Caddo Parish Fire District #3.