Who has the morning? “We do”, said the morning crew. “We have to put away the night, And dust the sun Until it’s golden bright.” “We shake the flowers from their snooze, Awake the fowls and their broods, Stir the sleeping beast of field, And sparrows, cranes, and whip-poor-wills. We awaken man from his rest, To face another daunting test; Of toiling ‘til his family’s fed, With savory meat and golden bread. Son of man, Son of God, More than creatures of the clod. Daily reaches up to God, To be given eyes to see A greater way that life can be. “There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.” ~ James Truslow Adams
Life Reflections
Dorothy Mae Stewart Taylor lived a life filled with her love for God, first and foremost, followed by the love for her three children, and acquiring knowledge. Dorothy was born on December 28, 1993, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi to James Stewart and Genorah Sanders Stewart. She was the third of four children: her brother, Alexander (who preceded her in death), and two sisters: Jane Etta and Reather. For the first ten years of her life, she was raised on a farm where her sharecropper father grew and raised everything they would eat. She attended school in Malvina, Mississippi where she, her brother, and sisters walked three miles one way. Dorothy inherited her love of books from her mother Genorah, who was a voracious reader.
In 1943, they fled Mississippi to West Tennessee due to their father questioning unscrupulous business practices. They lived in Hawkins, and subsequently moved to Jamestown where their Uncle Noble and Aunt Jennie resided. According to her youngest sister Reather, “Dorothy could fight!” She had no problem protecting her little sister who called Dorothy her “friend and her buddy.” She often took on bullies with her big brother, Alex. The fighter would show up in her adult years as she stood up for those forgotten by society. She loved learning during her school years, and upon graduating high school, ventured to Nashville to attend American Baptist Theological Seminary to become a missionary. After a couple of years, she left seminary, moved to St. Louis, Missouri, then enlisted in the Army. After serving in the military for a brief time, she moved to Washington, District of Columbia near her
sister Reather, and worked in government. In the 1960’s, she birthed her three beloved children: Brenda, Christie, and Michael. In 1972, Dorothy moved back to Jamestown with her young children and worked at the Naval Base Hospital in Millington, Tennessee. She became active in the home church, Bright Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Anderson (and later under Rev. Mottley), while also attending Sunday night services at Covington Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Charles Rodgers. Around 1976, her thirst for education led her to State Technical Institute at Memphis to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree with an architectural focus. In 1977, she moved to Woodstock/Millington and became a faithful member of Woodstock Church of God in Christ under Elder Blayde (Homeland and Rosemark District), and her commitment to child evangelism led to her participating in the Church of God in Christ’s Sunshine Band and Mission departments on the jurisdictional and national levels. In the early 80’s, a spiritual calling to pray on Saturdays in the nearly closed Macedonia Church of God in Christ led to the leadership appointment of Elder Carl Payne and establishment of Millington Church of God in Christ, where she met then Deacon Myron and Sister LaNita Armstrong and built a deep friendship. A true intercessor, she was the first one at the church, as she had been given the church’s keys, and would begin every service with her two youngest children by her side in prayer. In 1985, she attended Victory Bible Institute while working at the City
of Faith in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dorothy returned to Memphis in the fall of 1989, committed to working full-time in ministry. She joined Agape Christian Faith Ministries under the leadership of Pastor and Sister Armstrong. According to Sister Armstrong, Dorothy’s hands were never idle and she wore many hats including Ministry Coordinator, Church Clerk, and Secretary - and could always be counted on for wisdom. As a co-laborer in the kingdom of God, Dorothy led the creation of Agape Ministry for Social and Economic Development (AMSED) in 2000 and served as Executive Director. Agape joined forces with community agencies including Memphis Juvenile Detention Center, Coalition for the Homeless, Americorps Vista, and World Vision. A family home she purchased while working with World Vision, was often used to house those in transition. Along with the Armstrongs, Dorothy did extensive ministry work with the Neighborhood Christian Center, a ministry founded by Monroe and JoeAnn Ballard serving foster children. Mrs. Ballard reflects, “Dorothy Taylor, all of her life, wanted to do the will of God. Sometimes, it was Dorothy and God’s way, and we had to catch up... but for sure, she was sold out to the will of God.” Dorothy’s relentless pursuit for God’s will for her life shifted in her 70’s when God led her to pursue her greatest love of all … learning. She returned to State Technical Institute at Memphis, now named Southwest Tennessee Community College, and earned the Degree of Associate of Science, Magna Cum Laude in 2009. Dorothy’s heartfelt desire to earn every degree she ever wanted led her to pursue and earn multiple degrees from the University of Memphis. In 2012, Dorothy was conferred the degree of Bachelor of Liberal Studies (English), then she pursued a double Bachelor’s in History & Sociology. The forever learner took to new technology very well and continued her quest for knowledge through all new mediums. A major accomplishment post-graduation was becoming a published author in 2018 with the release of her first children’s book, Jalin Makes New Friends (released on Amazon). At the time of her passing, Dorothy had completed two new Jalin stories; and was set to publish God and Justice, which will be released posthumously. Pulling from the pages of her own life’s struggles and victories, she was known to share a bright smile and encourage others with her sweet lyrical voice to trust God, forgive themselves, and believe that nothing was impossible. The memory of Dorothy Mae Stewart Taylor will remain forever cherished in the lives of her three children: Brenda Marie Stewart of Memphis, TN, Christie Belinda Taylor of Memphis, TN, and Michael Anthony Taylor (Kimberly) of Boca Raton, FL; one grandson, David Lee Stewart, preceded her in death; two sisters: Jane Etta Stewart Green (James) of St. Louis, MO, Reather Stewart Kelly (Paul) of Upper Marlboro, MD, a deceased brother, Alexander Stewart (Ima Jean – deceased), her father James Stewart, her mother Genorah Sanders, all of whom preceded her in death; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who loved her dearly. “Only one life, ’twill soon be past... Only what’s done for Christ will last.” (~C.T. Studd)
Memorial Service
Friday, the Second day of July, Two-Thousand Twenty-One at Two Thirty in the Afternoon West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery s 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road s Memphis, TN 38125
z Family Processional Song ~ “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” Old Testament Scripture Reading (Psalm 1) Prayer Pastor Danny & Shirley Rose Blayde Living Word Fellowship Church Reflections by Jane Etta Stewart Green & Descendants Song ~ “Peace In The Valley” Scripture (Matthew 9: 35 – 38; Matthew 11: 28 – 29) ~ Silent Reading of Obituary ~ Song ~ “Awesome God” Scripture (John 3: 17 – 18) Reflections by Alexander Stewart’s Descendants Song ~ “Shout to the Lord” Scripture (John 10: 27 - 30) Reflections by Reather Stewart Kelly & Descendants ~ Military Honors for Dorothy Mae Stewart Taylor ~ Song ~ “Oh, Happy Day” Recessional
With Sincere Gratitude Our thanks are many, though words are few For the thoughtfulness of friends like you. For all of the kindness you have shared, and the loving expressions which show you cared. Today and always, may God above Enfold you in His arms of Love. ~The Family of Dorothy Mae Stewart Taylor ~
Memorial Gifts In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the following organizations championing causes that were dear to our mother’s heart: Neighborhood Christian Center - www.ncclife.org (Christ-centered Ministry & Empowerment Programs) The Hospitability HUB of Memphis - www.hospitalityhub.org (Resources for Persons Affected by Homelessness in Memphis/Shelby County)
Special Thanks The family gratefully acknowledges the Genesis Legacy Foundation for their assistance in honoring our mother’s desire to continue to serve humanity. For more information, please visit www.genesislegacy.org. “If anyone asks how I want to be remembered, please say I loved helping others, studying and learning new things, reading, writing, And listening to music. i enjoyed good movies. I also loved worship and prayer. Yes, this is how I want you all to remember me.”
(Dorothy Mae Stewart Taylor)