Mildred M. Taylor

Little did we know that at home on Thursday morning, April 11, 2013, at 2:30 a.m., that it was Your sunset and God was going to call your name - Mildred Maize Taylor - 90 years young, of Blades, Delaware. “In life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you; you did not go alone; for part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories; your love is still our guide. And though we cannot see you, we know you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same. But when God calls us one by one… The chain will link again”. Mildred’s sunrise was Saturday, April 22, 1922, at Beulah Road, Preston Maryland. She was the second child born of three (3) siblings: Mary Evelyn, the eldest and Merrill Simms. They both have preceded her in death. They were the children of Beatrice Noble Sims and Thomas Sims, who preceded all their children in death. Mildred’s early education was in the Public Schools in Federalsburg and Denton, Maryland. She graduated in the 11th grade and went on to receive her assistant nursing degree at Dorchester County General Hospital, Cambridge, Maryland. Mildred worked in the healthcare field most of her adult life, first in Maryland and later in Delaware. In 1989, she fell and broke her ankle. After her recovery, she was employed at Catholic Charities in Georgetown where she worked for 15 years until she retired at age 83. Mildred was not ready for retirement, so she started as a mom-mom at Laverty Lane Daycare, Bridgeville, Delaware. She visited the sick and shut-ins, cooked and took them meals. She would do personal hygiene and clean their homes and buy them groceries. Sometimes we would ask her why do you push yourself so. She would reply “you never know what state this world will leave you in; and if I do right by them God will do right by me”. Mildred did not retire by choice - she had a massive heart attack after returning from a family vacation in Atlanta, Georgia in November of 2010. That was the first of many. Over the next three (3) years, she had 32 heart attacks. Known for her ease in frequent conversations with even total strangers, some may be surprised to learn of the extreme shyness of her youth. Yet even as a child, she possessed a contagious smile and an entertaining sense of humor. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trusted hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter and joking around and feeding everyone that came to the house will never be forgotten. Mildred was the mother of eight (8). Three (3) children preceded her in death: Diane Angela (1959), Nadel James (1994), Courtland Layman (1996). She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Donyelle Latrissa Smack (1985), and a grandson, Nadel James, Jr., that she raised as her child (2010). Mildred is survived by daughter: Gwendolyn Washington, grandchildren: JoAnn Washington, Nina Washington, Douglas Rich, Yolanda Rich, and Cynthia Rich, 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grand children, and 1 great-great child. Son: Emmanuel Maurice Taylor (Karen), grandchildren: Mandel Andre, Yvette Nicole, Emmanuel Maurice Jr. and Lacy Caprice. Son: Lafenus Linwood Taylor (Sheila): 22 grandchildren, 60 great- grandchildren, and 24 great-great grandchildren. Daughter: Drayna Althea West (the late Tyronne), grandchildren: Tisha Deshields, Lewis Milligan, Tyra West, Tiffany Scofield and Bret Cannon; 9 grandchildren. Daughter: Sharon Lee Smack (Donald); grandchildren: Lafenus Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Donald Smack, Jr., 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grand child. She is also survived by a special friend, William Spiers.

Mildred M. Taylor

April 22, 1922 - April 11, 2013