Beverly (Davis) Taylor

She was an accomplished, multi-skilled education administrator with a proven ability to provide leadership in developing, implementing and evaluating new and existing client-centered educational, informational and skills building programs and support services. Her education career has been progressive spanning both the secondary and post-secondary arenas, including being an adjunct professor at Mercy College and culminating as a Dean of Advisement for Berkeley College, White Plains.

Beverly received a B.S. in Business from Iona College, New Rochelle, New York, and a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio - one of the eight original public ivies in the U.S. - She earned post-graduate credits from Long Island University in counseling at-risk youth.

Beverly has been honored by a number of academic institutions. She is the recipient of:

Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Leadership & Support, presented by The National Institute of Health’s Bridges to Baccalaureate Program;

Award of Excellence for the N.I.H funded Lower Hudson Valley Bridges Program

Award in Recognition for Leadership, Support & Dedication to Students, Parents & Teachers, presented by the Yonkers Public School District

Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Support & Contribution in strengthening students’ respect for diversity; presented by the Yonkers Public School District

Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership & Support presented by Technical Career Institute’s (T.C.I.) graduating class.

In 1990, Beverly founded Taylor Consulting, a firm specializing in program development, assessment, grant writing, specialized trainings and academic and vocational counseling. Her clientele included: The Yonkers School District, St. John’s Riverside Hospital; Westchester County, Mercy College, St. Christopher’s Children’s Home and a host of non-profit organizations.

She was recommended by the Yonkers Division of the N.A.A.C.P and commissioned by the Yonkers Public Schools to evaluate the district’s educational programs under the Desegregation Settlement Agreement.

Ms. Taylor is listed in the Honor Edition of the Cambridge Registry of “Who’s Who in America’s Executives and Professionals.” A dedicated civic leader, Beverly was a past District Leader and served as Chair for the Council for an Institute of Technology in Yonkers (C.I.T.Y.), a volunteer community organization dedicated to bringing a 4-year institution of higher learning to Yonkers. She was a former Big Sister in the Big Sister/Big Brother organization of Yonkers and a former President of the Westchester County Youth Division of the N.A.A.C. P. She also served as Administrative Director for Youth Theatre Interactions (YTI).

Beverly attributed her career successes to her religious upbringing. She had a life-long affiliation with Messiah Baptist Church and was brought to Christ by her parents the late James and Carrie Davis. She was christened and baptized at Messiah on Ashburton Avenue by Rev. Leo Hamilton. Beverly was actively involved in the church for most of her life. She was a Jr. Missionary, Jr. Usher, a member of the Youth Choir and Angelic Choir. Attended Sunday School and the Baptist Training Union (BTU). She was a Messiah cheerleader and years later directed a younger group of cheerleaders. Beverly served as the 2nd Queen of Messiah, and was the Church Secretary under Rev. Churn.

In addition to her academic and spiritual pursuits, Beverly was a lover of the performing arts. Beverly was a talented model, singer, and dancer, and even owned her own dance studio at the age of nineteen. Not a day went by without hearing her belt out some tune in such a way that all who heard would join in with joy, and perhaps an eye roll, all with love.

Beverly will always be remembered by her kindness and warmth, her faith, and her ease at helping all those around her, whether with advice, a hug, a silly joke, or just the calmness of being in her presence.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Albert, along with their two children, Tye and Derek; brother Jonathan Davis, and a host of cousins and other relatives.

A visitation for Beverly will be held Friday, April 14, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home. A funeral service will occur Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. A committal service will occur Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Cemetery, Sprain Rd., Yonkers, NY.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whalenandballfh.com for the Taylor family.