Althea Johnson Taylor

Althea Johnson Taylor, 78, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025. Born on August 13, 1946, to Rev. Elijah L. Johnson and Althea Bellamy Johnson in New Orleans, LA., as the only living child. Her twin sister Aletha died at birth. Baptized by her father as a child at Calvary Tabernacle C.M.E. church in New Orleans, she dedicated her life to Christ and was a member for many years. After the death of her parents, she transferred her membership to St. John Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, where she was an active member until moving to Baton Rouge in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, where her daughter resided. She and her daughter became members of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in 2007, and her son joined later. She always said that Shiloh was her second family, which led her to become an active and faithful member under the leadership of Pastor Fred Jeff Smith, serving in the following ministries: Food Ministry, Sanctuary Guild, New Member Encourager, Office Volunteer, Sunday School helper in her class, and Prayer Circle. Althea was educated in the New Orleans Public School System and graduated from Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans in 1963, and later earned a degree in Elementary Education from Dillard University. She taught in New Orleans Public Schools as an Elementary School teacher for 34 years. While teaching, she had the honor of being recognized as Teacher of the Year at Andrew H. Wilson Elementary. She then transferred to Francis Gaudet Elementary, where she eventually ended her teaching career and retired. After retirement, she worked at Sylvan Learning Center, where she was honored again as Teacher of the Year in 2004. After moving to Baton Rouge, she volunteered in East Baton Rouge Schools as a reading volunteer. Althea enjoyed traveling, helping people, working in her garden, collecting recipes, watching her cooking shows and murder mysteries, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends. Althea was preceded in death by her husband, George E. Taylor, and is survived by her two children, Chavada (Taylor) Adams (Ernest, Jr.) of Temecula, California, and her son, Aren Taylor (Bethany) of Baton Rouge, as well as two grandchildren, Cameron and Carlie Taylor, and three step-grandchildren Ashley, Mateo, and Traivon, many cousins, a host of other relatives, and close friends. A special acknowledgement goes to Mrs. Velma Evans (mother-in-law), who was always there when she needed her.