ELVIA MARIE TAYLOR

The spirit of Elvia Taylor (Eccl. 12:7) returned to God early Friday, August 16, 2024 after her earthly pilgrimage of 95 years, 8 months and 16 days.

Elvia was born to  parents William Jackson and Mable Freeman Jackson on January 29, 1929 in the Zion Hill community outside the small town of Caldwell, Texas.  The second of five children, she is survived by her baby brother, Lonnie Jackson.

Elvia navigated the rural school system in the community and graduated from Freeman High School in 1947.  After high school, she married Curtis Mitchell and they moved to San Antonio in 1949.  Two daughters were born into this union.  He predeceased her. 

Elvia was employed with the famed Joske’s of Texas for over 30 years and retired prior to the store closing in the mid-80’s.  She later worked with the San Antonio Independent School District and retired when she reached her full retirement age.

Later in life, she met and married Melvin Taylor, a retired gentleman from Philadelphia, PA., whose roots were from East Texas.  Their blended family included six adult children.  Melvin and his four adult children predeceased her.

Elvia was baptized into Christ on  June 18,  1948 by Bro. Hollaway at the Mitchell Chapel church of Christ in a small community east of Caldwell.  Upon moving to San Antonio in 1949, she placed membership with the Laurel Street church of Christ when Bro. A.N. Patterson was the minister.  She remained an active and  faithful member of the Laurel Street congregation for the past 74 years, serving as Bible school teacher (both children and adult ladies), greeter and applying her efforts to  any other good work she was privy to do.  She was a great encourager to many, a counselor to some and always a very positive role model.  Her favorite response to any problem or situation was “the Lord will provide”.    When her illness started to become more debilitating, she was determined to come to worship “as long as I’m able” and God blessed her to be in worship until very recently.  Her last time in public worship was July 7, 2024.    Having only two biological children, she had many in the church who referred to her as “Mama Taylor”.

Left to cherish a beautiful life are her two daughters, Loretta Carpenter (Amos) San Antonio, and Glenda Wright (Claude), Ft. Worth, TX.  She leaves her six grandchildren who affectionately called her GranGran, Jennifer Gilbert (Timothy) of Arlington, TX, Chris Carpenter (Wendi) of Mesquite, TX, Kimberly Wright of Dallas, TX, Derrick Wright of Ft. Worth, TX., Allision Findley (Matthew) of Sevena Park,  Maryland and Ashley Rowlett(Douglas) of Ft. Worth, TX. She also leaves bonus granddaughter, Toby Jones(Barry) of Houston, TX.    She leaves 13 great grandchildren, Olivia, Christian, Alexander, Zachary, Sabrina, Samantha, Alexandria, Kenneth, Aurora, Erin, Evyn, Jaiden and Jeremiah. She leaves her baby brother, Lonnie Jackson, of Caldwell, TX.    She also leaves nephew, Riley Kendricks and niece, Yvonne Mitchell who was truly “auntie” to them.  She will be remembered by a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. She leaves a beautiful church family.

WE THANK GOD FOR THE LIFE SHE LIVED AMONG US, FOR HER EXAMPLE AND HER ENCOURAGEMENT DURING HER PILGRIMAGE ON EARTH.