MARY JEAN TAYLOR

Humble, talented, sincere, trustworthy, caring, generous, compassionate, dedicated, dependable and faithful are not all but just a few words that described this extraordinary woman.

Mary Jean Taylor was born in San Antonio, Texas, to the late Belvin Taylor Jr. and Nettie Jo Rice.  She was raised in an area of the city known as West San Antonio Heights, also known as Paradise Cove. 

She attended West San Antonio Heights Elementary, Thunderbird Hills Elementary (currently, Powell Elementary) Sul Ross Middle School and Oliver Wendell Holmes High School (Graduating Class 1974).

Mary Jean furthered her education at San Antonio College and University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) graduating with a B.S. degree in Education.   

After graduation she taught elementary education in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) for more than 30 years while acquiring her Master’s in Education degree from University of Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Through the union of Belvin and Nettie Jo Taylor, 4 children were born, Belvin S. Taylor III, Lincoln E. Taylor, Lon W. Taylor and Mary J. Taylor (Mary being the youngest of the quartet).

Mary Jean was christened early in life at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church and remained a faithful and loyal member the rest of her life. Mary Jean served in several capacities in the church. She was President Pro Tem of Steward Board, Member of the Trustee Board, Active Member in the local Lay Organization, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Teacher, Choir Member, Counsel to the Young Peoples’ Department (YPD), Active participant in the Helping Hands (food distribution) Program, appointed to the Sarah E. Davis Scholarship Committee and President of the Benevolence Committee as well as an advocate for St. James A.M.E Church to be listed as an historical landmark in the city of San Antonio. Although not a member of every church auxiliary, she supported each one spiritually as well as financially. 

 Mary Jean Taylor became a proud and devoted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, initiated into the Undergraduate Chapter in San Antonio, Texas, then known as the Delta Rho City Chapter, on December 7, 1976. That date was already etched in the family’s history because December 7th was also the same date that her beloved mother, Nettie Jo Taylor, was initiated into the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1941. This rare and meaningful mother-daughter legacy foretold a lifetime of sisterhood, service, and excellence.

As an undergraduate, Mary was a dedicated leader, serving the Delta Rho City Chapter in several key roles including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Public Relations Officer. Following her University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) graduation, she transferred to the Alpha Tau Omega Chapter in 1980, where she continued to pour her time, talents, and heart into the organization.

Mary's leadership and service spanned decades. In her talent ladened capacity, Mary contributed to the success of Alpha Tau Omega Chapter and its non-profit affiliates through her leadership as President of Alpha Tau Omega Chapter (2002-2003), President of Alpha Tau Omega Educational Fund, Inc. (2006-2009), and President of Alpha Tau Omega Senior Opportunity Services of Texas, Inc. (2013-2015). A woman of quiet strength and unwavering dedication, Mary shared her gifts as a member or as chairman to a myriad of committees, often leading by example with grace, humility, and compassion.

In just nine months, Mary would have celebrated 50 years of uninterrupted service—her Alpha Kappa Alpha Golden Membership milestone. Though we mourn her physical absence, we find comfort in the legacy of service, love, leadership, and sisterhood she leaves behind.

May we each hold dear the many lives she touched, the countless hearts she uplifted, and the enduring light she shined in every room she entered. Let us honor her by living lives of purpose, grace, and service—just as Mary did.

The precious memories of Mary Jean Taylor will linger in the hearts of her brothers’ Belvin S. Taylor (Lillian, spouse), Lincoln E. Taylor (Gloria, spouse) and Lon W. Taylor (Dr. Linda J. Holley, spouse deceased). She has been blessed with several nephews; Belvin M. Taylor IV, Lincoln Taylor Jr., the late Jonathan Taylor and niece Latoya Moore, along with a multitude of cousins; the late Helen Mayberry, the late Leon Rice, Denise Rice, Michelle Oshodi, Coyliss  Yvette Fountano, Leonard Oshodi, Jahida Strait, Nnamdi Oshodi, Nick Oshodi, Simon Oshodi, Elizabeth Oshodi, Fumi Oshodi, Zoih Ford and host of other relatives and friends.

Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents Belvin Taylor Jr. and Nettie Jo Rice, whom she loved and cared for dearly. Mary Jean will always be remembered for her unconditional love and devotion to family, friends and community as well as her dedication to the betterment of others. She will be missed by all.