Gabriella Lytle Taylor

TAYLOR, Gabriella Lytle, 100, of Richmond, died on June 30, 2009. The youngest of Matthew and Zula Lytle's seven children, she is survived by her son, Rev. J.C. McWilliams Jr. and his wife, Anne; her daughter, Myrtle Jo Brady and her husband, Maj. Gen. Morris J. Brady (USA ret.); her stepdaughter, Mary Joyce Taylor; as well as 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her stepdaughters, Betty Jo Collins and Janet Myers. Gabriella earned her bachelor's degree from the Mississippi State College for Women (MSCW) and her master's degree in Christian Education from Scarritt College. Her life touched many throughout Mississippi; she worked as a schoolteacher in Gulfport, Wiggins, and Perkinston; as the director of Christian Education at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport; and as the director of the Wesley Foundation at Ellisville Junior College and at MSCW. Married to Stuart Taylor of Gulfport for 26 wonderful years, she moved to Richmond to be closer to family following his death. Her long life revolved around church and family. A member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Richmond, she was active in the United Methodist Women, Wednesday Morning Bible Study, Contemporary Sunday School class, and Monday Morning Devotion Group. Gabriella was the loving matriarch of a large family, all of whom admired her skilled sewing, her deep love of the natural world, and her strong spiritual example, and many of whom are still trying to equal her gumbo, red velvet cake, and Christmas cookies. She remains an inspiration to us all. Family will receive friends on Monday, July 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 North Parham Road. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 903 Forest Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church Dillard Forum, 903 Forest Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23229 or the United Methodist Committee on Relief, P.O. Box 9068, New York, N.Y. 10087.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.