Helen Taylor

Friday, April 1, 2011

Mrs. Helen Taylor, 100, died Wednesday, March 30, 2011, in Benton Harbor, Mich. Born in Pecan Point on March 27, 1911, she was the oldest of nine children. She married Leo Taylor of Memphis Jan. 31, 1931, and they moved to Blytheville. She was a member of West End Baptist Church, sang in the choir and was active in Sunday School. In 1936, the family moved to Hermondale, Mo., and they joined Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as financial secretary, choir member, Sunday school teacher, missionary and Mothers Board member. Here is where she spent the majority of her life as a farmer's wife and concerned community member. Mother Helen was known for teaching and singing.

She loved children and reared a niece, Naomi, and a nephew, Eddie Robinson, and in 1958 she brought home another special daughter, Denise, who was blessed to be in her life for the next 53 years. She moved in with a niece, Johnnie Whitaker, for about three years. As her health took a drastic turn, she was moved to Michigan with her son and daughter, Bishop Leroy and Denise Lane. Meeting another church family, Straight Pentecostal Power Church, she constantly would look around and say, "I am just blessed."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; and a special nephew, Jessie Whitaker.

Mrs. Taylor leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Denise (and Bishop Leroy) Lane of Benton Harbor;

Three granddaughters, April, Tonnika and Katherine;

Three great-grandchildren, Leroy, Amesheonna, and Damionne, all of Benton Harbor;

A sister, Mrs. Elnora Chandler of Joliet, Ill.;

Special nieces Johnnie Whitaker of Hermondale, Naomi (and Tommy) Payne of Cleveland, Marcella (and Donnie) Davis of Clinton, Margaret Ellington of Memphis, Virginia Done of Blytheville, Dr. Janet Kotey of Huntsville, Ala., and Ernestine (and Bill) Hamilton of Lockport, Ill.;

Special nephews, Minister Eddie (and Cora) Robinson of Prince George, Md., and Pastor Robert (and Willa) Robinson of Detroit; and

Other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The family will receive visitors from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at Loving Jesus Ministries on South Elm in Blytheville, Elder Robert Parnell, Pastor. Funeral services will begin at the church at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Holland, Mo.

Arrangements are by McDonald-Horne Funeral Home.