Edith Viola Taylor

Edith Viola Hunter Taylor was born March 15,1926 in Hanover County to parents,Joseph and Irene Hunter. She was one of eight children blessed to this beloved family. She was preceded in death by her mother and father;sisters,Mable Walker,Dorothy Gaines,Elsie Thompson;brothers,Gordon,Peyton,Stuart and Otis Hunter.Edith accepted Jesus as her Savior at an early age and remained a faithful member of the First Union Baptist Church throughout her life. She served on the Deaconess Board,E.C. Kent Gospel Chorus,Senior Choir and Women's Auxiliary of the Chickohamony Deaconess Conference of which she was the first secretary. Deaconess Taylor also served at the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church with her husband,Deacon Williard Taylor,who preceded her in death.Ather graduating from Hanover Training School,now J.M.Gandy,Edith was employed with John Marshall Hotel and retired from F.W. Woolworth Department Store after 40 years of faithfull service. Deaconess Taylor was a well-loved manager at a restaurant that in her early years would not seat and serve,or promote persons of color. She believed her faith in God would transcend everything in due time.She married her high school sweetheart,Williard and though no children were born of this union,she raised the only child of her sister Mabel at her death. Little Carolyn came into Edith's life at the age of ten and they remained together until Edith passed into her eternal rest. She also became a surrgate for niece Audrey,who lost her mother at an early age. As a matter of fact,upon the death of all her siblings,Edith mentored the lives of her nieces and nephews;maintaing a close relationship with each of them to the end as well. Deaconess Taylor loved attending church and singing in the choir until her health moved her into assisted living. But she did not let that stop her desire and during her stay at Ginter Hall she formed a group that traveled around to other assisted living facilities to spread joy and cheer through prayer and song.For many years she shared her time with her nieces and nephews during annual family fellowships and holiday dinners. During the holiday seasons in recent years she fell in love with Tiger Woods and follow the tournament everyday on television until he won the championship,a green jacket and a Buick. You'd ask,"how is Tiger doing" and she would give you that great smile of hers.She leaves to cherish her memory,sister-in-law,Roslie(Minnie)Johnson(of Maryland); brother-in-law,Howard Walker;nieces,C.Andrena Johnson(devoted).Audrey Hunter,Wanda Bell(of Texas),Marva Davis,Easter Duckinfield (Hartwell),Arnita Conner,Shelia Mitchell(Floyd),Irene Hicks(Wendell,Jr.)Valerie Artis(Richard),Doretha Laughinghouse(Shelton),DeAudrey Hunter,Laurietta Allen(John),Jewel Baker(Steven)(of Maryland),Vinceretta Reid,Sharon McCloud,Malva Garrison. Nephews,Ellis Hunter,Joe Hunter,Gordon Hunter,Jr.(Eyvone),Tyrone Johnson(Nadiyah),Kenneth Johnson(Shelia),Anthony Jackson(Eva)(of Maryland);several cousins,Vernell Giles(devoted);serveral great nieces and great nephews,Darlete Johnson(devoted);other loving relatives and friends.She will be greatly missed;this woman who taught many that a quiet demeanor and a pleasant smile could render a strong woman,loving surrogate,dutiful wife,respected manager,empowering mentor and caring friend.

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Edith Viola Taylor

March 15, 1926 - April 20, 2008