Jeanne Carolyn Taylor (Tate) answered her call from the Lord on June 1, 2024. Mother Taylor, as she was affectionately known, was born on March 16, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the middle child of three children born to the late Gwendolyn Louise Gantt and Tyree S. Tate. She attended Dunbar Jr. High School and graduated from Dunbar Sr. High School in 1953.
Mother Taylor met Richard L Taylor Sr. and fell in love and were united in Holy Matrimony on March 25, 1955. This union continued until Richard’s sudden death. Of this union, three children were born – – Richard L. Taylor, Jr., and twins Renee C. James and Lenard J. Taylor Sr.

After graduating from high school, Mother Taylor worked in the food service industry at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Church Home Hospital. also worked in the Children’s Development Center (CDC) in North Carolina and California. Additionally, Mother Taylor worked in housekeeping, and as a dietary aide. She loved to bowl, roller skate, and sing in the church choir.
Mother Taylor loved to help others, especially when their health would not allow them to take care of themselves. Loving people and being respectful was something she always instructed her children and demonstrated to all who knew her. People loved Mother Taylor, but she loved them MORE. Mother Taylor had the wonderfully rare opportunity to travel and live around the world with her son, Rick, and his family while he served in the Marine Corps. In addition to living in several places in the contiguous United States, she has also lived in Hawaii and Japan. Her travels gave her a great appreciation for God’s blessings. Wherever she was planted, she blossomed and was steadfastly anchored in the Lord!

Mother Taylor accepted Christ at an early age and joined her family church, Faith Baptist Church, in Baltimore, MD. She was a long-time member of Mt Zion Baptist Church, Triangle VA. While there she re-dedicated her life to Christ and, along with her son, was baptized on December 13, 1998. After relocating to Fredericksburg, VA, she joined Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, under the leadership of Pastor Herman L. Gladney. Here she remained a dedicated and faithful member until God called her home. Emmanuel AME has truly been a blessing to Mother Taylor! She loved her church family dearly! While a faithful member at Emmanuel, Mother Taylor was the Mother of the Church. She served in many ministries. She taught Sunday School; she served on the Missionary Board and Women’s Fellowship. She was President of the Senior Ministry.

She is preceded in death by her sister Shirley Tate Gibson, brother Tyree S. Tate, Jr., and granddaughter, Tia Blackwell. Mother Taylor will forever be cherished by her three children, Richard L. Taylor, Jr. (Brenda), Renee C. James (George, deceased), and Lenard J. Taylor Sr.(Olga); seven grandchildren, Lenard Taylor, Jr., Towanda Taylor, Nicole Bryant, Marcia Bailey, Terrance Taylor, Maurice Taylor, and Rebecca Lewis; eighteen great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren.

The Taylor Family must acknowledge two incredibly special people in our mother’s life who meant the world to her. Without them, she would not have been able to enjoy the beautiful loving life she had. Our mother spent over 20 years under the watchful care of ‘granddaughter’ Tynnell Dunaway. Tynnell saw that our mother’s every need was provided for. She made sure that Mom had her own beautiful, comfortable suite. All done with love.

The other tremendously special person in our Mom’s life is Denise Reeves. She is truly a gift from God! Denise was such an integral part of our mom’s care that we never worried or doubted that Mom was receiving nothing less than the highest level of care. Denise and Tynnell cared for our Mom around the clock, which was especially seen when Mom was hospitalized. A BIG THANK YOU to Tynnell and Denise for loving our Mom like she was their own . . . and in our minds, she was their mother too! Our Mom absolutely loved you both! And we do too!
Mother Taylor leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends that loved her dearly. But in Mother Taylor’s words “ I Love You More.”