Lillian Taylor

Lillian Powell Taylor was born June 15, 1931, in Cincinnati Ohio, the first child of Virgil Powell Sr., and Lesalee Powell (nee Anderson); both preceded her in death. Her brothers, Virgil Powell Jr. and Freddie Powell both preceded Lillian in death. Lillian answered the Lord’s call and departed on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Lillian was baptized at Union Baptist Church when she was about 10 years old and grew up in Union Baptist Church attending Sunday School and participating in the youth church activities

She graduated from Woodward High School in 1949 and then married Melvin Earl Taylor, June 30, 1951, and to this union two children were born, Deborah (Debbie) and M. Aaron (Ricky).

She initially was a stay-at-home Mom, devoted to her children. She took them to Wherman Avenue Christian Church to ensure they learned about the importance of serving and worshipping the Lord where Lillian also served as a vacation Bible School teacher. Then, Wherman Avenue Christian Church members purchased property in May and Crown Streets, and it became United Christian Church. She took her children to United Christian where they were active in the Sunday and Vacation Bible School.

Lillian was very active in her children’s school. She tutored her children during the summer and increased their reading and math skills to ensure their success at school. She enrolled her daughter in ballet classes, piano, and violin and attended all her performances. She enrolled her son in a number of YMCA athletic activities where he attended camp and eventually participated in his high school football, gymnastics and wrestling teams.

After Lillian and Melvin divorced, she started working for Kmart where she provided premier outstanding customer service. She worked full time at Kmart until she became disabled after a box from the stock shelf fell on her head. She continued working part time and retired after 12 years. However, she remained best friends with Melvin throughout their grandchildren’s lives and together they provided childcare services for Christina and Courtney while their parents worked.

Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Lillian taught the first computer classes at Woodford Elementary School where her granddaughter Christina served as her assistant. Lillian also served as a tutor to children who were experiencing learning challenges and successfully helped them achieve their learning objectives.

Lillian was an excellent seamstress who designed and made clothes. She designed and made Christina a dinosaur costume for Halloween that won first place. She also was a pro at braiding hair and creating braiding hairstyles for her family and friends.

Lillian was an avid reader and researcher. She served in the community as a point of contact on issues that negatively affected the neighborhood. Lillian researched records in the library, City Hall and any other resources. She prepared letters to the head of office to offer solutions to resolve problems that plagued the neighborhood. She successfully was able to eliminate parking on one side of the street citing that fire emergency vehicles would be unable to access a home in the event of an emergency. So, when a bomb exploded at a home across the street, the emergency vehicles were successful in arriving on time to extinguish the fire preventing the spread to other homes.

Lillian also served at the election polls and was committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all people. She brought along Christina so she could learn the actual working of the voting process at an early age.

The one thing Lillian loved to do was dance and attend festive events. Lillian could do all the dances perfectly with the wobble being one of her favorites. She attended all the Alabama Connection Black and White Ball Scholarship events and donated to the scholarship fund. Lillian was recognized by Minnie Baldwin, Chairperson of the Alabama Connection for her commitment and dedication to the organization and she was crowned “queen of the dance.”

She went with Deborah to all the church concerts and events at Lee Chapel AME Church, Bethel AME Church and Carmel Presbyterian Church. Lillian loved classical, gospel and R&B music.

Lillian leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Deborah (Debbie) Jordan, son M. Aaron Taylor, grandchildren Christina Jordan Sherrod (Brandon), Kyle Ashaad Taylor, Courtney Taylor, Aaron Taylor, great grandchildren, D’Shawn Thompson, Naomi Kelly, Olivia Kelly, Sarai Hunter, Harmony West and Serenity Taylor and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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