Ms. Mary Emma ("Tula") Taylor

On October 15, 1931, MARY EMMA NEWELL, affectionately called Tula/Tulah, was born to Josephine and Essie Newell of Yazoo City, Mississippi. Mary was a precocious child and the youngest of three, with two older brothers Eddie and Essie Newell. Sadly, her mother passed on in 1934 when Mary was only 3 years old. Her father later remarried Willie Mae Overton, who raised Mary and her brothers as her own children.

At an early age Mary accepted Christ and joined the Baptist Church in Tribbett, MS, later converting to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. She spent her formative years in Tribbett, MS and later was sent to Leland, MS for her high school education at Breisch High. 

On September 4, 1949, Mary was married to her childhood sweetheart, George Taylor in Tribbett, MS. Mary went on to have seven children: Patricia Ann, George Jr., Robert Lee, Edward Roy, Wanda, Risa' Zenobia, and Michael Eugene. 

To improve their financial outlook and escape the oppressive yoke of Jim Crow, Mary and family moved to St. Louis, MO in the late 1950's. 

Always in pursuit of a better life for herself and her children, Mary went on to earn her G .E.D and license in Cosmetology. She later became an employee of the City of St. Louis Department of Health, working as a radiology technician at Courtney Health Clinic, until her retirement in 1995. 

Mary was a member of Prince Of Peace Baptist Church for a number of years until her health prevented her from in person attendance. 

Mary was an even-tempered person that loved to laugh and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was a stern disciplinarian and one look told you to cut out the nonsense.

Mary found joy in fishing, crocheting and cooking for her family. After much cajoling from her granddaughter Kenya, she passed on her sweet potato pie and pound cake recipes. 

Mary departed this earthly life on January 18, 2021 after a lengthy struggle with dementia. Those who preceded her in death were her parents, two daughters - Wanda and Risa' Zenobia in infancy and her brothers - Eddie in 1963 and Essie Jr. in 2000. 

Mary leaves behind many to cherish her memory: five children - Patricia Taylor, George Taylor Jr., both of St. Louis, MO, Robert Taylor (Bernetta) of Kansas City, MO, Edward Taylor and Michael Taylor both of St. Louis, MO; fourteen grandchildren - Kenya, Larissa, Latisha, Chelse', Miranda, Sarah, Khyia, Rochelle, Rachel, Richard (Tonya), Drew, Edward Jr., Tamika, Tamara, and Whitney; thirteen great-grandchildren -Trevon, Makayla, Kellan, Owen, Jacob, Aiden, Angelise, Ramaya, Rihanna, Graham, Sarah Jr., Riley and Myla; nieces - Ann and LaQuanna Spriggs of Greenville, MS and Elouise Scott of Stockbridge, GA, and Cassandra Thompson of Marietta, GA; and two very special lifelong friends - Juanita Abernathy of St. Louis, MO and Lee Hinton of Los Angeles, CA. 

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