Julia Taylor

Sunrise: December 30, 1948

Sunset: September 23, 2020

Monday, September 28, 2020 11:00 a.m.

St. John AME Church 800 West Magnolia Street Valdosta, GA 31601 Reverend Kelly Faulk Minister & Officiating

Obituary I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7,8

Sister Julia Frances Rouse Taylor (71) was born December 30, 1948 in Waynesboro, Georgia to the late Mrs. Zellie Lee Jones Rouse Utley and the late Mr. Judson Walter Rouse. She was one of ten (10) children born to that union.

She was all about getting a good education from a young age. Julia grew up and attended school in Burke County, Georgia. At an early age, she found herself responsible for taking care of her brothers and sisters and made sure they completed their homework. She attended high school that was not in her immediate neighborhood because the rural community could not afford a high school. In spite of all of her dilemmas, she managed to accomplish virtually all “A’s/B’s and received numerous honors in elementary school. She graduated high school as a National Honor Society student with extracurricular activities. Because of her academic prowess, at the age of eighteen, she arrived at Fort Valley State University. She completed four years of studies at Fort Valley State University and graduated in 1971. In August of 1971 she matriculated to Texas Southern University Law School. After being there for a short period, her mother had a heart attack and she had to defer her law degree with much bewilderment because she lacked financial aid and needed to work to help her mother with her brothers and sisters.

She quickly took her place in the work world after trying to attend graduate school at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Even though life had thrown all kinds of curve balls, GOD was still watching over her and her family. God placed Dr. Samuel Taylor in her life and they were married. Even though she was married, she still assured her brothers and sisters that they would go to college and get an education. Beginning in 1981, she took advantage of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Masters Degree Program in Criminal Justice at night.

Her schedule was very hectic but “blessed”, because by now, they had started their own family.

After giving birth to their three children, she went on and earned her Masters Degree as one

Mrs. Taylor received a number of Honors and Certificates: Second Year Law Student - Barkley School of Law, J.D.; Foundation Board of Directors - Fort Valley State University; Pleasant Temple Missionary Baptist Church Deaconess, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Counselor & Senior Missionary; Faith Christian Center of Valdosta, GA, Dedicated Christian, Trustee, Women Seminar Greeter, Bible Study Teacher & Chairperson of Family Union; Girl Scout Leader; Outstanding Leader on the Board of Directors for Valwood School and LAMP; adopted Southeast Elementary School; Partners in Education - Lowndes High School & Hahira School, Parent Teacher Association, Band Booster and Chaperone; JCP Regional Volunteer Award; Dean’s List; Pi Gamma MU Internation Honor Society In Social Science; Alpha Phi Delta Pre-Law Fraternity; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; served as President, Treasurer and Fundraising; MU IOTA Chapter and Mock Trial Debating Team; started Teens for Tots; 100 Black Women of America and Founder of Family Reunion.

Mrs. Taylor was God fearing. She accepted Christ at an early age as her Lord and Savior.

She was a very faithful member of St. John AME Church until her health started failing her.

Mrs. Taylor leaves to cherish her precious memories her husband, Dr. Samuel Taylor; two daughters, Dr. Jerthitia Taylor (Courtney) Grate, and Juree Satelya Taylor, both of Valdosta, GA; one son, Dr. Samuel Jumacey Taylor, IV of Valdosta, GA; five grandchildren, Nicholas Taylor, Taylor Grate, Davis Grate, Savannah Grate and Tobias Taylor; brothers, Robert Leslie (Joan) Rouse of Sardis, GA, Eddie Lee (Joyce) Rouse of Waynesboro, GA, William Henry (Rosie) Rouse of Waynesboro, GA, Rutherford Rouse of Waynesboro, GA, John Thomas (Ann) Rouse of Atlanta, GA and Dr. Charlie Craig (Deidre) Rouse of Carrolton, GA; sister-in-law, Joan Rouse of St. Petersburg, FL; aunts, uncles, step-siblings, in-laws, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, god-children, cousins, other relatives, other family members, church family, and many, many, friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Vannie Louise Dixon, Ollie Mae Dale and Katie Mae Givens and brother, Robert Leslie Rouse.

Mrs. Taylor was truly a people person and loved everyone. Our hearts are empty and our eyes are filled with tears but we can smile because she lived a life where she never met a stranger. Julia saw everyone as a child of God. We will remember her for her kindness and especially her good food. Julia had a heart filled with gold. She was a person that went beyond the call of duty to help others, especially young people. She wanted to see every young person succeed in life. She will truly be missed. To the many friends that knew and loved her, you know she was a very special person. She had a love for young people getting a good education. She encouraged parents to encourage their children to be the very best that they can be.

We must not close our eyes, but open them and see all she has left. We must remember her and cherish her memories.

Order of Service Deacon Alonzo Nelson, Presiding Song Director………………………………………...............Mr. Jeremiah Davis Processional……………………………………….........…....Ministers & Family Final Glance Prayer…………………………………..............………Reverend Linda Matchett Scriptures: Old Testament…………………………..........…Brother Gene Godfrey New Testament…………………..........……..Sister Marcella Simmons Solo…………….…….................................Minister Deborah Ann Butts Sirmans Reflections: (Please limit all Reflections to two minutes) As A Classmate.....Ft Valley State University.....Mrs. Mary McKenzie Elam As A Friend..........................................................Mrs. Johnnie Ruth Holmes As A Friend.......................................................Minister Kimberley Mobley As A Soror........(Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.)..................Miss Betty Wilson As A Family Member...................(Brother).............Dr. Charlie Craig Rouse The Taylor Family......................(Husband)......................Dr. Samuel Taylor Acknowledgements…………...............................Staff of Godfrey Funeral Home Solo……......................................................Minister Deborah Ann Butts Sirmans Words of Comfort..……………………….…......................Reverend Kelly Faulk

Precious Memories!!

You Wonder Why I Went Away

When God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be, He put his arms around you and whispered come to me.

With tearful eyes we watched you as you slowly passed away and though we loved you dearly. we could not make you stay.

So today we say goodbye. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands to rest.

And did not say goodbye; I could not bear to tell you, For it hurts to see you cry.

My ship came in, And beautiful to see.

For the captain was King Jesus, And he softly beckoned me.

I ran across the leeway, And fell down at His feet; He gently took me in His arms, My rest is now complete.

We love you and will truly miss you!!

Precious Memories

Precious memories, unseen angels Sent from somewhere to my soul How they linger, ever near me And the sacred scenes unfold.

Precious memories, how they linger How they ever flood my soul In the stillness of the midnight Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

Precious father, loving mother Fly across the lonely years And old home scenes of my childhood In fond memory appear.

In the stillness of the midnight Echoes from the past I hear Old-time singing, gladness bringing From that lovely land somewhere.

I remember mother praying Father, too, on bended knee Sun is sinking, shadows falling But their prayers still follow me, well As I travel on life's pathway Know not what the years may hold As I ponder, hope grows fonder

Forever In Our Hearts

You will truly be missed!

She Was Different She Was Different, She was special, Unique in a thousand ways.

She was giving she was loving,

And we’ll miss her all our days.

There are those who strive for praise, They yearn for world applause, There are some who chase Sweet comfort, Ass their one and only cause.

But, she was different.

She knew sorrow in great measure, And was stung by illness, too, But neither could defeat her, nothing could her faith subdue.

And when she saw death coming, she didn’t cower in fear.

Instead, she called out boldly, “My Lord, I’m over here.”

Of course, the Lord will welcome her with His angels magnifying

The beauty of that celestial place, devoid of pain and crying.

But forgive us Lord for pining, for wishing she was here, It’s so hard to give up someone we have come to love so dear.

Because you see, She Was Different; She was special, Unique in a thousand ways, She was loving, she was giving And we’ll miss her, miss her Miss her, all our days!!!

“Miss Me But Let Me Go”

A Precious One Is A precious one from us is gone, A voice we loved is stilled.

A place is vacant in our hearts, Which never can be filled.

And after a lonely heartache And many silent tears; But always a beautiful memory Of one we love so dear.

God saw the road was getting rough, The hills were hard to climb.

He gently closed those loving eyes And whispered, “Peace be thine.” The weary hours, the days of pain, The sleepless nights are past, The ever patient worn out frame Has found sweet rest at last.

When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little-but not too long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared Miss me-but let me go For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone.

It's all part of the Master's plan A step on the road to home When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds Miss me but let me go.

FOOTPRINTS One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you Never, ever, during your trials and testing.

When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

Pallbearers Family & Friends

Flower Attendants Family & Friends

Interment Riverview Memorial Gardens, 3945 N Valdosta Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602

Repast St. John AME Church - 800 West Magnolia Street - Valdosta, GA 31601

~Acknowledgement & Notes of Thanks~ The deepest gratitude of the family is extended to all who found so many ways to express friendship, love, concern and sympathy during the passing of our loved one. Mere words cannot express how your visits, telephone calls, food and most of all your prayers and inspirational messages have been a source of comfort and strength for us.

The Taylor Family

Telephone: 229-242-9500 ~ Fax 229-242-4295 ~ Website: www.godfreyfuneralhome.net

Mr. Randall E. Godfrey, Sr.

Mr. J. Bernard Braswell II

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