Mrs. Bertha Lee Payne Taylor's Obituary
Bertha Lee Payne Taylor was born ay 21, 1938 in Olive Branch, MS. She was the second born to the late Andrew Garland Payne and Doris Pearl Scales Payne. Bertha accepted Christ at an early age at Halliburton Baptist Church. Later, she joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Until her death, she was a faithful member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Bertha began singing at an early age; she had a graceful voice and she sang solos in church throughout her life. Bertha’s favorite hymn was “May the Work I Have Done Speak for Me”. She was the leader if the Business and Professional Circle at Mt. Zion. As well as, a proud member of the East Central Mississippi Retired Teacher Association. Bertha was educated in the Desoto County Schools. In 1961, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, MS. During this time, she met Robert Taylor. On February 2, 1962, Robert and Bertha were united in Holy Matrimony in Olive Branch, MS. Bertha began her thirty year career of teaching at Eastside High School, in Olive Branch, MS in 1962. She taught for nine years (1963-1974) in Meridian Public Schools. In 1974, she transferred to Lauderdale County Schools, where she retired from Northeast Elementary in 1995.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, one great grandchild, two sisters and two brothers.
Bertha peacefully departed this life on Tuesday morning, December 22, 2015 to be with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She leaves to cherish her memory: a faithful, loving and devoted husband, Robert Taylor; two daughters, Katra Taylor Boston (Julius) of Meridian, MS; Ti-Sha Taylor Alexander (Edwin) of Dallas, TC; one son, Robert Derrek Taylor of Meridian, MS; one sister, Geraldine Payne of Memphis, TN; two sisters-in-law, Vernice H. Payne of Memphis, TN and Mary Taylor of Meridian, MS; one brother-in-law, Reverend John Thompson (Virginia) of Meridian, MS; seven grandchildren, Aeshrae, JoVan, Choicey, TiDerika, Jumarius, Corlen and Keelea; four great grandchildren, Rashad, Rashun, Amir and Madisyn; one uncle, JB Payne of Olive Branch, MS; one God-daughter, Veronda Johnson of Southaven, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to cherish her name.
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