Billie Jo Taylor

Billie Jo Taylor was born April 7, 1945, to Floyie L. Overton and Ed John Overton in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. She was the sixth of seven children. Billie departed this life on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Billie's parents were share-croppers in Mississippi. With the desire for better job opportunities and a better education for their children, Ed and Floyie decided to move their family to New Orleans, LA.Billie attended Joseph McCarthy elementary school and George Washington Carver high school both in New Orleans. Billie loved to sing. She took choir all 4 years in high school and was an active member of her high school choir. The choir sang for both school and local community events. After graduating high school, her parents decided to immigrate to California during the great to migration. Although Billie had a scholarship opportunity in Music at Dillard University in New Orleans, she decided to move with the family to California and enrolled in the College of San Mateo where she earned an Associate of Arts degree. While there, Billie was introduced to her husband, Roy L. Taylor by her brother-in-Law, Charles V. Smith. They married on July 3, 1966, and settled in San Jose, CA. They had two boys, Marc Lloyd and Michael Brian.Billie and Roy joined St. Paul's United Methodist Church after moving to San Jose where she was a member until her death on January 31st 2023. At St. Paul's, Billie sang in the Choir, worked with the Creative Arts program for youth, worked with the Jail Ministry – singing once per month at the San Jose main Jail, and she sang with the Friday Night Live band. She also attended several Gospel Music Workshops held at Antioch Baptist Church, San Jose. Billie Taylor's work career included 25 years at General Telephone & Electronics (GTE), now known as Verizon Communications as an Cost Estimator working on top security projects. She retired in 1997. After retirement, she didn't sit still. She became an integral part of a family catering business, L & E's Catfish Kitchen. It was a summer business that sold New Orleans style food at music festivals in the San Jose area for over 20 years. Although she could prepare anything, her specialty was potato salad and smoked New Orleans style hot sausage. Billie spent her spare time playing games such as Candy Crush and Words with Friends. She was also passionate about spoling her grandchildren.Billie was preceded in death by her parents, Ed John and Floyie Louise Overton, her sister, Jeanette Lightburn, her brothers, Edward F. Overton and George R. Overton, brother-in-law, Edward G. O'Neal and sister-in-Law Adele Overton.Billie leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband, Roy L. Taylor, her two sons, Marc L. Taylor (Susan) and Michael B. Taylor (Chamika). She also leaves her grandchildren Jada Taylor, Jessie Rodriguez and Ashlyn Taylor. 3 sisters, Joyce O. Smith (Charles), Doris J. O'Neal, and Linda O. Watson (Otis), Sister-in-law, Jacqueline Overton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.