Lester R. Taylor

Mr. Lester R. Taylor, 62, of 2713 Fruehauf Road, Richmond, Va., entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 2, 2009, at VCU/MCV Medical Center, Richmond, Va.

He was born on Sept. 11, 1946, in Petersburg, Va., to the late James E. "Buck" Taylor Sr. and Dorothy Mae Ross. Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by brother, John Ross.

Mr. Taylor was educated in the Petersburg Public School System and received his nursing license in New York. He was the owner of Mama Celeste Early Childhood Development Center. He was avid fisherman and loved to cook and entertain. He enjoyed his westerns and portrayed Wyatt Earp on his 60th birthday.

He was baptized at New First Baptist Church and upon moving to Richmond, Va., he joined Trinity Baptist Church by way of Christian experience. He was known and loved by many. Mr. Taylor will truly be missed but not forgotten.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Celestine Jackson Taylor; one son, Terry L. Dunn of Petersburg, Va.; one daughter, Lorena "Beanie" A. Hiroldo (Edward) of Yonkers, N.Y.; two stepsons, Alvin S. Williams Jr. of Richmond, Va., and Charles E. Williams (Kenya) of Prince George County, Va.; two stepdaughters, Angela W. Ward (Christopher) of Virginia Beach, Va., and Bridgette W. Parham (Derek) of Glen Allen, Va.; two brothers, James E. Taylor "Baby Dump" of Petersburg, Va., and George J. Taylor (Beverly) of Denver; two sisters, Linda T. Hill of Detroit and Gail E. Taylor-Waters (Donald) of Petersburg, Va.; devoted father-in-law, Willie H. Jackson Sr.; three sisters-in-law, Otelia Harris (Linwood) and Deborah Howard, both of Petersburg, Va., and Winifred Frances (Gary) of Fort Washington, Md.; one brother-in-law, Willie H. Jackson Jr. (Mary) of Richmond, Va.; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, among them devoted friends, Colbert Frenzley "Dinnie," Sir Lord Hope "Buck," Russell Parham, Denita Jones "Nita-Boo," the staff of Mama Celeste, the Busy Bees (ages 3 to 6 years), Wiggle Worms (age 2), Baby Dino's (ages 16 months to 23 months) and the Turtles (ages 6 weeks to 15 months).

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the New First Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va.; the Rev. Dr. John B. Cole Sr., pastor, officiating, the Rev. Leroy Cherry, pastor of Third Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va., eulogist. Interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends and may be contact by calling (804) 477-6291 or 1223 Hamilton St., Petersburg, and may be contact by calling (804) 861-9518.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.