Waverly Duval Taliaferro

Waverly Duval Taliaferro

Waverly Duval Taliaferro, the son of Griselda Williams Taliaferro and Gabriel E. Taliaferro of Lynchburg, passed away on November 27, 2021, in New York City at Calgary Hospital after a long, and valiantly fought battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Millie Harvey Taliaferro, formerly of Lynchburg; four siblings, M. Jean Taliaferro, Katherine T. Wood (Harry, deceased), and Lydia G. Taliaferro, all of Lynchburg, and Clayton Taliaferro of Lynchburg and New York; niece, Karen Morelli (Dominic) of Magnolia, Delaware; nephew, Marvin Edward Taliaferro (Lorraine) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; devoted cousin, L.A. Franklin (Carolyn) of Lynchburg, and numerous friends and associates in New York, and in Lynchburg.

Born in Lynchburg, Waverly was a 1955 graduate of Dunbar High School where he enjoyed playing football with the "Poets" and was early on attracted by the technological demands involved in being the head camera/film worker/monitor while still a student there -- this high school self-training would, in future, prove a pay-off.

Waverly was 15 years old when he became a member of the Rivermont Baptist Church during the pastorate of the Reverend A.L Hill. He went forward serving in the U.S. Army for two years, briefly matriculating at UVA, and later in New York at Fordham University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.

As Manager Tech Representative for Camera Services Company in New York, he was known to be the "camera doc" for, in particular, the epic film The Godfather, many episodes of Law and Order and some films of director, Spike Lee.

Waverly was an avid reader of books, a true Libran born on the cusp of Scorpio, whose brilliance shone from a long and wide cornucopia of knowledge he never chose to expound upon to show off, rather he carefully weighed everything about which he knew, centered himself, and presented his own balanced perspectives; and it didn't hurt that he had such an incredible memory for both the profound as well as for trivia and, most especially, for remembering long thought forgotten names of acquaintances from times past who always felt special when remembered by the authentic man, Waverly Taliaferro, known for holding fairness, and goodness in the highest esteem.

The family of Waverly extends their heartfelt thanks to all whom, over the years, have acknowledged and expressed caring. Online condolences may be expressed at ctalia@duke.edu .