Sarah Belle Smith Taylor, 96, departed this life into the peace and hands of our Lord on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. She was predeceased by her parents, William Douglas Smith and Ida Mae Allen. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Dr. Frank Eugene Taylor;, three children, Sally Hurley Rockwell (Bill) of Charlottesville, Nancy Taylor Atkins (Reed) of Williamsburg, and Frank E. Taylor, Jr., of Richmond; five grandchildren, Joseph Boyd Hurley V. (Kaylen) of Atlanta, Ga., Casey Hurley Taft (Jonathan) of Greenville, N.C., Peter Bradford Hurley of New York City, Amanda Taylor Atkins of Del., and William Taylor Atkins, New York City; and two great-grandchildren, Joseph Boyd Hurley, VI, and Hollis Rose Hurley. Susie was born March 16, 1922, at Scotswood Farm (the Malloy family home), which was a land grant to her Scottish ancestors in 1773 in Lumber Bridge, N.C. (Robeson County). Her grandmother, Annie Belle Malloy and great-grandmother, Nettie McGougan Malloy lived with her and were the great loves of her life as a child. She graduated from Elizabeth City High School in 1939 and then attended Flora MacDonald College, Red Springs, N.C. Susie was president of the junior and senior class, an honor student, majoring in history and English literature. Known as "quiet and modest," she was listed in Who's Who in America, University and College for her last two years. In 1942, she went to Wilmington, N.C., shipyard to christen the "Flora MacDonald," a Liberty transport ship for World War II. Her desire when leaving college was to become a social worker. Her hobbies were reading, dancing, drawing and listening to the music of Tommy Dorsey. Her father, an officer in the National Guard, World War II, was transferred to Richmond, Va. She excelled in the graduate study of social work at Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU) and did child welfare work in Henrico County. Shortly after the war in 1946, she met her husband-to-be at a "dance" in Richmond. In 1949 they were married and came to Charlottesville. She began working as the first social worker in The Neuropsychiatric Children's Dept. at UVA under Dr. David Wilson while her husband was finishing medical school. She continued to work until her husband left for the Cleveland Clinic for two years of training where she did social work at Jones Home (a foster care establishment). When they returned to Charlottesville in 1953, she became involved with the University League (now the Junior League) and helped initiate a child and family service program. Upon her husband's completion of residency, he joined a group practice with an old Hampden-Sydney friend in Roanoke for six years during which time the three children were born. The opportunity to return to Charlottesville in 1961 presented itself and she became involved with the Board of Janie Barrett Day Care, Family Services, Charlottesville Junior League, Charlottesville Garden Club, Bayly Art Museum, Volunteer Children's Theater and Book Club. Once the children were grown, she became a full-time student at PVCC, taking business and art history courses (was also secretary to five organizations at the same time). Her lifetime of learning and service has instilled in her children and grandchildren a curiosity of the world and a desire to make a positive contribution in their lives. Susie found gratification in gardening and reading. To the end she was tending to her garden and was even known to correct our English grammar; much to the grandchildren's delight! Growing up in a Scottish family, she continued her Christian journey through adulthood by attending a Presbyterian College and 55 years as a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She cherished the blessing of living long enough to experience the joys of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she especially treasured the "gift" of a sixty-nine year marriage to the man of her dreams. Su-su, we will miss you and know now you are in the hands of the Lord. A graveside service is planned for 11 a.m. Monday, September 24, 2018, at Monticello Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends at 2 p.m. at Farmington Country Club following the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Hill & Wood Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the amazing nurses and staff at Martha Jefferson House as well as the Hospice of the Piedmont for the gentle and compassionate care that Susie received. In lieu of gifts, please send any donations to Hospice of the Piedmont, www.hopva.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.
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