For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
II Timothy 4:6-7

On this day we celebrate the homegoing of Mrs. Annie Pearl Taylor. Mother Taylor slipped quietly into eternal rest on March 8, 2016 at the age of 96 at her residence in Waverly, Virginia.

Mother Taylor was born on April 19, 1919 in Greensville County, Virginia, near Emporia. She was an only child born to Carrie Bell Nickelson and Forsham Reese. At an early age due to family hardships her mother took her to live with her cousin Mattie Epps Lucas and her husband Edmund Lucas in Southampton County, Virginia. They didn't have any children so they took her as a foster child at the age of 18 months old and lovingly raised her to adulthood. She received her education through the Southampton County School System. She was baptized at an early age and became a member of Pleasant Plain Baptist Church in Southampton.

Mother Taylor married Leroy Taylor of Capron, VA on December 25, 1936 and to that union was born seven children: James, Joe, Robert, Samira Ella, Leroy Jr., Carolyn, and Carrie. In later years they adopted granddaughter Etta Jane after the untimely death of their son Leroy Jr. She also gained a step-son Muncie Edward Hatch whom she adored. After marriage she joined Morning Star Baptist Church where her husband held membership, and remained an active life-long member serving in various ministries in faithful attendance over the years until the decline of her health.

Mother Taylor was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, and a devoted friend to all who knew her. She was known to have a passion for cooking, baking and gardening. She was a lady of amazing strength, beauty and compassion, and a testament to the power of the human spirit. Mother Taylor was predeceased by her husband Leroy in 1992 after 56 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by all four of her sons, a step-son and a grandson due to unfortunate illnesses and accidents.

Mother Taylor leaves to cherish her precious memory four daughters: Samira Ella (Daniel, deceased) Waverly, VA, Carolyn (Rufus) Norfolk, VA, Carrie (Clinton) Temple Hills, MD, and Etta (David) Dinwiddie, VA; a sister Revelle Taylor (Reuben, deceased), Hopewell, VA; 16 Grandchildren, 30 Great-Grandchildren, 6 Great-Great Grandchildren; Cousins Rev. Arthur Wiggins, Emporia, VA, William Brown and Danita Brown, Baltimore, MD; a host of nieces and nephews; and other relatives, friends and neighbors.

Special thanks to her devoted home healthcare providers Frances Byrd, and Vivianna Wicks and the staff of Gentiva Hospice; devoted friends and neighbors Mattie Morgan, Virginia Bowling and Jean Bowling; and all relatives and friends who offered their prayers, support, visits and phone calls.

Funeral service for Mother Taylor will be 1:00pm, Friday, March 18, 2016 at Morning Star Baptist Church, 14502 Rivers Mill Road, Capron, VA, Rev. Larry Nash, Pastor, Rev. Dr. Earl Thompson Sr., Eulogizing. Interment will follow at Morning Star Baptist Church Cemetery.