Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Taliaferro

Mary Elizabeth Jones Taliaferro was born on January 5, 1923 in Amherst, Virginia to Willie and Jane Jones. Mary was the oldest of four children, her siblings were McKinley Jones, Glease Jones and Mattie Brown Mary attended public school in Amherst County. She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of St. Mary's Baptist Church in Amherst, VA. In later years, they moved to Powhatan County and reared six children. Mary moved her membership from St. Mary's Baptist Church in Amherst County to Mt Zion Baptist Church in Powhatan, VA in the late seventies. Life was hard after becoming a single parent, however, by the grace of God, she made it. She walked mile after mile to work and back home to feed her children. She carried bags of groceries on her back. No matter what the weather conditions were, she pressed on. Sometimes she didn't have the proper clothing for the winter season, but she never gave up. Mary was a quiet and compassionate person that loved the Lord with all her heart. She leaned not on her own understanding. She taught her children the values of life, honesty, respectfulness and manners. She taught them to let their word be their bond. Mary instilled in her children the gift of helping others, sharing and showing compassion for one another. She loved gospel singing and reading the bible daily. Mary's hobby was cooking. She was an excellent cook, her recipes included a pinch of this and a pinch of that. Some of her famous meals were fried chicken, potato salad, collard greens, homemade rolls, lemon meringue pie and sweet potato pies. After a period of declining health, she entered eternal rest on October 4, 2021 at the home of her daughter, Linda Smalls. She was preceded in death by: her parents; two children, Lueveneary Strickland and Wayne Taliaferro and her sister, Mattie Brown. She leaves to cherish fond memories: her children, Willie Taliaferro (Georgianna), George (Teresa), Faurice (Barbara), Linda Smalls (Robert) and Mary Scruggs; twenty-five grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; fifteen great-great-grandchildren; sister in-law, Daisy Hampton; brother-in-law, Lloyd Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and longtime friends, Alexander and Mary Jackson, Audrey Juanita Bell and Annie Mayo; devoted friends, Mable Gilliam, Juanita Bell, Emma and Ceasar Lewis and family, Edith Hollice, Helen and Earl Hobson, Shelia Watson, Bren Davis, and LaVerne Harley. A Mother's Crown Heaven lit up with a mighty presence, as the Angels all looked down. Today the Lord was placing the jewels Into my mother's crown. He held up a golden crown, as my darling mother looked on. He said in His gentle voice, 'I will now explain each one.' 'The first gem,' He said, 'is a Ruby, and it's for endurance alone, for all the nights you waited up for your children to come home.' 'For all the nights by their bedside, you stayed till the fever went down. For nursing every little wound, I add this ruby to your crown.' 'An emerald, I'll place by the ruby, for leading your child in the right way. For teaching them the lessons, That made them who they are today.' 'For always being right there, through all life's important events. I give you a sapphire stone, for the time and love you spent.' 'For untying the strings that held them, when they grew up and left home. I give you this one for courage.' Then the Lord added a garnet stone. 'I'll place a stone of amethyst,' he said. 'For all the times you spent on your knees, when you asked if I'd take care of your children, and then for having faith in Me.' 'I have a pearl for every little sacrifice that you made without them knowing. For all the times you went without, to keep them happy, healthy and growing.' 'And last of all I have a diamond, the greatest one of all, for sharing unconditional love whether they were big or small.' 'It was you love that helped them grow Feeling safe and happy and proud A love so strong and pure It could shift the darkest cloud.' After the Lord placed the last jewel in, He said, 'Your crown is now complete, You've earned your place in Heaven With your children at your feet.' I Never Saw Your Wings How is it that I never saw your wings when you were here with me? When you closed your eyes and soared to the Heavens I could hear the faint flutter of you wings as you left. Your body no longer on this side your spirit here eternally I see your halo shine. I close my eyes and see the multicolored wings surround me in my saddest moments and my happiest times. Mother my angel God has given you your assignment always my mother forever my angel. You fly into my dreams and when I am asleep I feel your wings brush against my face wiping away the tears I shed since I can no longer hold you in my arms but in my heart. You earned those wings dear mother and you will always be my angel eternal. The Family