Cassie Ann Taylor Martin

Cassie Ann Taylor Martin, age 42, adoring wife of Brandon Martin and devoted mother of Slade, Taylor Rheese and Kayse, tragically passed from this world but joyfully into heaven on March 15, 2023.

Summarizing the life and personality of Cassie is like trying to box up sunshine - it just can't be done. Cassie was born January 15, 1981, in West Monroe, LA to her father, Gary Wayne Taylor and her mother, Phyllis Welch Taylor. Cassie was the consummate hometown girl who grew up here in Olla, attending school here and graduating from LaSalle High School in 1999, where she was well known as an exceptional academic, athlete, and cheerleader. She went on to graduate from LSUA with honors in 2005 as a radiology technologist.

Cassie married the love of her life, and as she would gladly tell you, her best friend, Brandon Martin on March 24, 2000. Together they created a beautiful family starting proudly with their son, Brandon Slade, followed beautifully by their daughter, Taylor Rheese, and ending perfectly with their baby boy, Julian Kayse.

Cassie was an energetic and totally devoted mother. She encouraged her children to excel in every area of their life whether it was in their faith and devotion to Christ, academically, or athletically. Cassie was and will always be their BIGGEST FAN! Cassie could always be found cheering her children on from the sidelines, proudly wearing their team colors and numbers on her hoodie or t-shirt.

Cassie was a much loved mom in the softball travel team community. Everyone that she met in that community came to know what everyone in our small town already knew - to know Cassie is to simply love Cassie. She had a beautiful smile that lit up the room when she walked in and her laughter was infectious. She loved with every fiber in her being. She laughed long, loud, and often to the point of tears! She was a loyal friend.

Cassie was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. It was this rock-solid faith that sustained her after Brandon's diagnosis of cancer and comforted her after the tragic loss of her father, Gary Wayne Taylor. These were some of the few times that Cassie's radiant smile was dimmed.

Our loss is truly heaven's gain and it is that thought that enables all of us left behind to survive.

Cassie is survived by her husband, Brandon, their children, Slade, Taylor Rheese, and Kayse; her precious grandmother, Peggy Welch; her mother, Phyllis Welch; her step-mother, Karlene Taylor; her brother, Colby Taylor and his wife, Lyndi; her mother-in-law, Barbara Martin; her step-brother, Bruce Whitaker and his family;her step-sister, Sheri Ann Armstrong and her family; her nephew, Colton Taylor, her nieces, Ellie Kate and Lessie Lou Taylor; along with a whole host of nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.She was preceded in death by her father, Gary Wayne Taylor; her maternal grandfather, Roy Welch, Jr.; paternal grandparents, Louis and Beryl Taylor; and her aunt, Diann Mitchell.

Her loss will be especially felt by the members of her church family of First Baptist Church of Olla and by her co-workers at Winn Parish Medical Center.

Serving as pallbearers will be Trey Bearden, Matthew Bearden, Rodney Montgomery, Chris Savant, Brett Rivero, and Sam Bass. Honorary pallbearers include Blade Beaubouef, Clay Cotten, Trey Borland, Griffin Peppers, and Brock Blackwell.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 18, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Olla with Bro. Dennis Baker officiating and Bro. Greg Dunn assisting. Interment will follow at Beech Creek Cemetery under the direction of Riser Funeral Home. The family will have a visitation on Friday, March 17, 2023, from 5 PM until 8 PM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cassie's name to the LaSalle High School Athletic Association.