Mikel Taylor Cooney

Mary “Mikel” Taylor Cooney, 89, of Waco, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025. 

Born in Dallas, Texas on June 20, 1936, Mikel was the beloved daughter of Arthur Taylor and Virginia “Locke” Cooper. In 1937, her family was living in New London, Texas when the tragic school explosion occurred—a deeply traumatic event for her mother. Shortly after, Arthur sold his share of his oil field trucking and teaming business with Sun Oil Company and moved the family to the Arthur Taylor Ranch in Jonesboro, Texas, where Mikel grew up as a rancher’s daughter. She graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1955. 

Mikel went on to attend Texas Woman’s University, where she made lifelong friendships as part of the spirited “59ers.” She was honored as Rose Bud Queen in 1959 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. 

After graduation, Mikel began her career with AT&T in Dallas and later transferred to San Antonio. There, she met the love of her life, Leigh Cooney, and the two were married at the wedding chapel in La Villita on the San Antonio River. Together, they raised three sons. During the 1970s, the family moved to Houston, where Mikel devoted herself to being a mother until her boys were grown. She later returned to the workforce as an office manager for a major adhesive company in Houston, retiring in the 1990s.

In her later years, Mikel moved to Waco to help with the family ranch and to care for her mother Locke and her aunt Dot. Known for her deep love of animals, Mikel always had dogs and cats by her side—treasured companions who brought her joy throughout her life. 

Though an only child, Mikel shared countless childhood adventures at the ranch with her cousins Tom and Ann, creating memories full of laughter, mischief, and stories retold for generations. This spirit continued in raising her boys. One day might be floating a river and the next in a symphony. Manners and appearance were very important to her and she was adamant about these principles with her sons.

Mikel is survived by her 3 sons: Scott, wife Nicole Cooney, Steven, wife Rachel Cooney and Shawn Cooney. Grandchildren Taylor, wife Cheslee Cooney and Tye, wife Ali Cooney. Great grandchildren Aiden, Creed and Krue. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leigh Cooney, and her parents, Arthur and Locke Taylor. 

A celebration of life will be held on the Arthur Taylor Ranch on October 25, 2025. A graveside service, led by Brother Jerry Davenport, will take place at the Taylor Family Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. 

Mikel was a Christian and believed in Jesus as her personal savior; we will all visit in heaven one day soon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mikel’s honor to: • Fuzzy Friends Rescue (Waco) 

Mikel will be remembered as a devoted daughter, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and as a friend whose kindness, laughter, and adventurous spirit touched many lives.

For information, please contact Scott at 254-736-0351