Willie Jean Taylor

Willie Jean Taylor, the daughter of the late Vincent and Nannie Hale, was born in Gilmer, Texas. She spent her formative years in Gilmer, was an active member of the Valley View Baptist Church and graduated from Valley View High School. She was very athletic and ran track while in school.

As a young woman, she came to Riverside, California and there she met Jackie Taylor, an airman in the United States Air Force; they were united in Holy Matrimony in 1959. To this union two children were born, a son, Orlando Antonio, and a daughter, Jacqueline Lamesa.

Jean worked hard, along with her husband, to support her family and provide a solid education for her children; she eventually became a home healthcare provider for the elderly. It was her desire always to have those near and dear to her strive to excel through education. Education was constantly stressed which lead to both her children earning advanced degrees.

Jean loved to entertain. Many of the neighbors in “The Village” still talk about her parties. She loved to cook and became known for her cakes, chocolate and sweet potato pies, and Jello salads. She was always ready to provide food and love and never had an empty refrigerator or freezer at her home. Jean loved her animals and later in her life took joy in babysitting her grand-dogs. She also enjoyed writing poetry and playing the piano.

Jean often expressed her love through giving and many remember her as being very generous. She had fine taste and dressed well. Jean was extremely outspoken and if you had not experienced her “opinions”, then you did not know her nor could you say that you were loved by her. Although Jean was very sensitive she often did not show her sensitive nature privately nor publicly.

Jean was the “matriarch” of the family, and her house was the “Ponderosa.” She did everything she could to keep her family celebrating the joy of being a family.

Later in life, Jean became a loving and caring member of Kansas Avenue Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Her Christian life was an example for all who came in contact with her. She was a living example of loving service and she was a woman of unique creative talents. Jean was also a dedicated member of the Martin Luther King Senior Citizens Club at the Stratton Center located in Bordwell Park.

Willie Jean departed this life on December 7, 2016, in Riverside, California, with both her children by her side. She is survived by her son, Orlando Antonio Taylor, and her daughter Dr. Jacqueline Lamesa Taylor Wilcoxson and husband Don Ajené Wilcoxson; by two sisters, Mrs. Freddie Rean Crain of Rialto, California and Mrs. Cloteal Hall of Richards, Texas; Nicholas Schouten; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Taylor; by her brothers, L.C. Hale, L.D. Hale, and A.D. Hale; and by her sisters, Annie B. Florunary, Lurlene Robinson, and Ezzie Lee Scott.

She lives in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her.

Arrangements under the direction of Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, Riverside, CA.