Frances M. Taylor-Pleasants

Frances Lee Mitchell Taylor-Pleasants, daughter of the late Lewis Elmer Mitchell Sr. and Iris Lee Phillips Mitchell was born August 18, 1949, in Union Level, VA. Frances quietly departed this life on March 31, 2024, in her home. Frances graduated from the former East End School in 1967 and continued her studies in the Business field at Strayer Jr. College (now Strayer University) in Washington, DC. She was employed by Richmond Community Hospital, Kelly Girls, and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Richmond, VA. After being employed as a Data Analyst with IBM for many years, she later went on to work for the City of Richmond DPU as a Financial Analyst where she retired on Dec. 31, 2015. Prior to working with the City of Richmond, she renewed her studies by taking courses in accounting. While employed with the City of Richmond, Frances joined the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). Frances was one of their highly respected and dedicated members as she served on many committees and worked hard in planning their national conferences. At an early age, Frances was baptized and became a member of the North View Baptist Church, North View, VA, where she served faithfully. She continued to visit and support North View Baptist, even after making her home in Richmond. While in Richmond, Frances was a devoted and active member of Fourth Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Robert L. Taylor Sr. where she was a part of the Youth Committee and served wherever she was needed with full commitment. Frances later moved her membership to St. Paul’s Baptist Church, where the Senior Pastor is Dr. Lance D. Watson. Frances married her High School sweetheart, Calvin Lee Taylor in South Hill, VA. Out of their union with great joy they became the parents of two children, Calvin L. Taylor Jr. (CT) and Roxanne M. Taylor (Rocky). On March 23, 2019, Frances went on to share her love as she married Edward “Ed” Pleasants who proceeded her in death. Frances was a devoted wife and shared an abundance of love and good times with Ed. She held tight to her vows, ‘in sickness and in health until death do us part.’ In May 1999 Frances became a member of the East End Chapter #79 order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation. This year she would have been eligible to receive her 25th year pin. As a member she served several years as the Chapter Assistant Secretary, the Audit team, and various other committees. In 2009 she was the fourth runner up in the Star Point contest within the grand chapter. Frances served in a leadership role with East End Chapter #79 as the Chapter’s Worthy Matron from 2014 to 2015. Frances leaves to carry on her legacy and memories: her devoted children, Calvin L. Taylor, Jr. his beloved wife Jill A. Taylor, Manquin, VA and Roxanne Taylor Monroe, Richmond, VA; two bonus children through love, Chandrika Pleasants, Burlington, NC and Maurice Pleasants, Detroit, MI; three loving sisters, Dr. De Lois M. Powell, Richmond, VA, Janet P. Mitchell, Chesterfield, VA, and Iris E. Mitchell, PG County, MD; three sisters in-love, Freda T. Lawrence(Raymond),Manassas, VA, Carolyn Pleasants, and Marilyn Brown, Richmond, VA; five brothers in-love, S. Lewis Taylor, Philadelphia, PA, Samuel Taylor, South Hill, VA, Robert F. Powell, Boydton, VA, Toney Scroggins and Vernon Scroggins, Jr. (Judy), Richmond, VA; Mother in-love, Prince Pleasants, Richmond, VA; two devoted grandchildren: Jayvon R. Taylor (Jada) and Jaliyah S. Monroe, Richmond, VA; five grandchildren in love: Austin Anderson, Manquin, VA, ChaRon Booker, Cadence, Christian & Chance Pruitt, Burlington, NC; three great grandchildren: Mulan and Montana Taylor and Noah Edwards, Richmond, VA; one great aunt: Estelle Bell, South Hill, VA; three godchildren: Johnathan P. Mitchell, Baltimore, MD, Japheth O. Wilson, Richmond, VA and Braelynn J. Bullock, PG County, MD; a host of other family members and friends, devotedly amongst them her nephew: Lawrence Manning, Atlanta GA: nieces; Rena W. Person (Eric) and Leandra F. Wilson, Richmond, VA. and Bridget Mitchell, PG County, MD; dear friends Bernice Skipwith, Aubrey Bragg, Crystal Hendricks and Mary Noel. Frances known to some as Aunty, Stella and Mama Frances was loved and respected by many and opened her home for all to be loved and find a safe place. She forged the ability through her wisdom to repair the breaches of even the hardened of hearts. She kept things together and made sure you were never hungry and felt loved. She was a die-hard Steeler fan, her macaroni and cheese, tuna salad, seafood salad and that scrumptious crab dip made them come running. There were many that looked up to her and were dear to her heart, and some she thought of as her children, amongst them devotedly: Albertina and Travis Tiller, Tanishia and Andre Streat and Rodney Smith, Richmond, VA. Her God-fearing presence was that of great character, integrity, and humility. She was devoted to her family and was the one that you could count on to be there. She left a light that will shine on through us all. In our hearts she will never be gone, just gone from here.

Tributes

Frances M. Taylor-Pleasants

August 18, 1949 - March 31, 2024