Alethea A Taylor

Alethea Taylor (previously Camp) peacefully passed away on July 18th, 2025, at her home in Urbana, Illinois, at the age of 86. Alethea was born in the home of her grandmother, whom she called Mama Austin, on November 12th, 1938, near Mayfield, Kentucky. She graduated from Wingo High School and Murray State College (now University) in Murray, KY, with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. While an undergraduate, she married her first husband, high school sweetheart Paul Richard Camp. As a young woman, Alethea taught math and music in several Kentucky high schools before the family moved to Illinois. A keen observer of human behaviour and passionate about supporting people in community, Alethea earned a Master's Degree in Rehabilitative Psychology from Southern Illinois University. She spent the next 20 years of her professional life working for the Illinois Department of Corrections, where she became the first female Supervisor of Parole. She later helped open Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro, Illinois, as its first Assistant Warden of Programs, and later Warden. In the later stages of her career, she was loaned to the National Institute of Corrections where she helped found the Association of Women Executives in Corrections, as well as providing technical assistance to states. She retired in 1995. Alethea's love of community continued after she retired. She was a founding member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She served on the board of the Del Ray Artisans and Warwick Village home owners association, both in Alexandria, VA. Alethea moved to Urbana, Illinois, in 2001 to be closer to her grandchildren. She quickly became a fixture in the local community. She began practicing, and later teaching, tai chi, and for several years served on the board of the Prairie Ensemble. She also loved gardening, collecting art, and playing the piano. She was frequently seen attending concerts at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, where she was often noticeable by her distinctive velvet jackets. While attending a symphony concert at Krannert she sat next to the person who would become her romantic partner for the rest of her life, Curtis Stephens. Alethea and Curtis enjoyed traveling together, and took trips to places such as Germany, Venice, and Istanbul. They continued to attend symphony performances at Krannert until a year before Alethea's death. Alethea was predeceased by her parents, Wayne and Virginia Austin Taylor, by her first husband Paul Richard, by her daughter-in-law Patsy, and by her granddaughter Cayla. She is survived by her life partner Curtis; sister Nancy; children Donna (Leonard), and Sean; grandchildren Margaret (TR), Daniel (Danni), and Priyanka; and Curtis's children Bonnie (Ben) and Holly (Robert). A Celebration of Life Service for Alethea will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday July 26 with a Reception one hour prior to services at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 Philo Rd., Urbana, IL In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Wesley Food Pantry in Urbana, IL, or the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alethea A Taylor, please visit our floral store.