Vera Louise Taylor

“Welcome My Child” “Welcome, child,” the angels sing, “where God’s embrace is known.”

There’s no more fear or earthly pain— Your loved one’s safely home.

Today in heaven, angels shout amen, saints sing “Hallelujah!” And a new voice joins in, rising, praising...rejoicing to be home.

~ Acknowledgements ~

We, the family of Vera Taylor, acknowledge with sincere appreciation the many kindnesses and courtesies shown during her period of illness and our bereavement. Every prayer, visit, call, tribute and act of understanding, sharing and caring will never be forgotten. Your generous expressions of sympathy have brought much comfort and helped to relieve the burden of our loss. May God bless you always.

~ Pallbearers ~

David Crutchfield Blanchard Diavua Rickey Fondren II Rickey Fondren III Paul Honeywood Sr. Henri Nance

~ Interment ~

Forest Hill Cemetery-Midtown 1161 Elvis Presley Boulevard Memphis, Tennessee 38106

Distinctive Services by View Funeral Programs, DVD Tributes & More Through Your Mobile Device

3320 Millbranch Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38116 901-452-7331 www.harrisonsfuneralhomeinc.com “There’s No Comparison To HARRISON” ~Since 1923~

Tarik A. Yancy 901.336.9706 www.mysticalprinting.com

Remembering the Life of Vera Taylor

Vera Louise Taylor was born on November 24, 1923, in Gunnison, MS to Obadiah and Mary Honeywood Broxton. Shortly after her birth, Vera’s mother passed away, and her father was left with three children under the age of 4, including Vera’s older siblings Delcenia and Oscar. As a baby, her uncle and aunt, Pleas (“Papa”) and Rosa (“Mama”) Honeywood, took her in and raised her as their own through adulthood. With Papa and Mama, Vera was the fourth of eight children and adored as a woman who loved deeply and spoke her mind freely. She was preceded in death by her sisters Delcenia Broxton Mack and Virdia Lee Honeywood Lewis; and brothers Oscar Broxton, Henry Honeywood, James Honeywood, Pleas Honeywood, Augustus Honeywood and Joseph Honeywood. After 97 years of a life well lived and loved, Vera peacefully transitioned on February 15, 2021 in Memphis.

At a very young age, Vera accepted Christ at Mt. Journey Church in Shelby, MS. In 1935, she moved with her family to Memphis where she joined St. Peter Baptist Church. There, she faithfully attended and served with her family for many years.

Vera prided herself on being the “smartest kid in the house.” She attended Porter Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School, in Memphis, before leaving school to work full time. She worked a number of jobs over the course of her career including as a clerk in the dental office of her uncle, Dr. Cooper E. Taylor.

On June 4, 1945, Vera and Jobe Taylor were married in Joplin, MO, a union which lasted 63 years until his death in 2008. Her union to Jobe produced what she called her greatest accomplishment – a son, Dr. Harold Leon Taylor, who preceded her in death. She was generous and loved deeply, and this shown through in her love and pride of her “little boy,” as she often referred to Harold. She often recalled how she took on additional work to help put her son through Morehouse College and to ensure that he had opportunities that she never had. Some of her proudest moments were spent discussing her son “the dentist,” and his historic accomplishment of becoming the first black Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in the city of Memphis.

In 1964, Vera and Jobe joined Castalia Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorship of Reverend Calvin Mims. She was a faithful member of Castalia until her passing. At Castalia, Mother Taylor, as she became known, served on the Mother’s Board, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and was a member of the Tribe of Benjamin and the Esther Sunday School class. In her later years, she faithfully served the funeral ministry, as a tutor to students at Magnolia Elementary School and was a generous contributor to many church initiatives.

In addition to serving her church and loving her family, Vera enjoyed traveling, tending her flower garden and serving her community. For many years, she helped to sell Girl Scout cookies on behalf of her granddaughters, and helped them to become top cookie sellers in their troops and Council. She also served as a board member for the Shelby Meadows Townhome Community, where she helped to manage the finances and development of the community where she resided for over 40 years.

She will be remembered by all for her generosity to people in need, her ability to tell a good joke, sharp wit, candid honesty and her love of family and friends.

In recent years, Vera was cared for by her daughter-in-law, Madeleine Cooper Taylor, her granddaughters, Reagan and Sydney, and her dear niece Linda Crutchfield.

For them, she was an example of a love and faithful commitment to God. She leaves to cherish her memory a sister, Mae Rose Parker of Chicago, IL; daughter-in-law, Madeleine Cooper Taylor of Memphis; two granddaughters, Reagan Taylor Fondren (Rickey) and Sydney Diavua (Blanchard), both of Memphis; one great-granddaughter, Grace Diavua and one great-grandson Rickey Fondren III, both of Memphis; her loving niece Linda Crutchfield (David) of Memphis; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Order of Celebration Friday, February 26, 2021 11:00 A.M

Castalia Baptist Church

2180 Airways Blvd. • Memphis, Tennessee 38114

Prelude Processional Musical Selection Scripture & Prayer.......................................................Rev. Memphis Martin

Reflections

Friend - Mrs. Symeria Clemons Church - Mr. Nnaemeka Egwuekwe Family - Mr. Paul Honeywood, Sr. Musical Selection Eulogy...............................................................Dr. Randolph Meade Walker Benediction Recessional