Mrs. Mary Evelyn James Taylor

Mrs. Mary Evelyn James Taylor transitioned to her Heavenly Home on Friday, February 27, 2026. She was surrounded by her loving family. Homegoing services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 1:00 PM at the Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, 2606 W. Grace Street, Tampa, Florida 33607. Minister Wiiliam Cade will be the eulogist; Reverend Keaton J. Brown is the presider and pastor. Burial Services will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, East Lake Ave, Tampa, Florida 33610.

Mrs. Taylor was born on August 18, 1945, at The Clara Frye Hospital. She grew up in the loving care of her parents, the late Deacon Arthur and Sis. Victoria James.

Mary was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County; graduating from Howard W. Blake in the Yellow Jackets Class of 1963.  She continued her studies and became a practicing Certified Nursing Assistant in 1966. Mary continued on to Gibbs Jr. College in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the next two years.

Mary James met and married Theodore Taylor on July 8, 1967; they shared a loving and fruitful marriage for 58 years. Their union included three children: Reginald, Darren, and Tadiah. 

Mrs. Taylor, alongside her husband, children and grandchildren, served faithfully until her health failed. Her courage and faith in God were evident as she continued to trust Him through her sickness and transition.

Preceding her in death are her parents, grandparents, her son, Darren Taylor; daughter, Tadiah T. Burney; great grandson, Darrion Taylor; her brothers: Charlie and Verner James; sister: Ollie Cummings, Dartha West, and Floreta Hines.

Mrs. Mary Evelyn James Taylor leaves lasting and loving members with her husband Theodore T. Taylor; her son Reginald T. Taylor; bonus daughters: Teresa Young and  Michell (Chris) Williams; her grands: Kehara Taylor, Darren Taylor, Jr., Bobby Hughes, Darrius Taylor, DeNorris Taylor, Reginald Burney, Jr. (Naomi) and Chi’ Anne Brackin; bonus grand Khaled Williams; great grands: DeNorris Taylor, Jr., Dream Taylor, Mariah, Isaiah and Issac Burney; brother: Davie L. James; sisters-in-law: Carolyn Brown, Mary James, and Renee Taylor; brother-in-law: Charles Taylor; godchildren: Ayanna Roberts (Damon) of Clinton, MD, Sabrina Moore and Derrick Paulin as well as her nieces, nephews, cousins and her loving community. A host of sweet families and friends, including: The James, Howard, Reddick, Poole, Levins, Lewis, Tiggett, Escalante, McCallister, Shorter, Rowe, Colvin, Martin, Hunter, and Paulins families. Also, thanks to Mt. Tabor Church Family, Howard W. Blake, Class of 1963, and Nancy Sutton along with The LifePath Hospice and The Florida Cancer Service.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners. 

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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