Eliza Reynolds Taylor

Eliza Reynolds Taylor, 106, longtime resident of Little Rock, Ark. entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012 in Downer's Grove, Ill. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who never met a stranger. Born July 10, 1906 in West Helena, Ark. to the late David and Idella Reynolds, she was the eldest of ten children. Eight of her siblings preceded her in death. She was employed as a cook at the Lafayette Hotel in Little Rock for 42 years. She was an independent woman who never allowed her hearing and vision impairment to alter her goals. Until her death, she was the oldest living graduate from the Arkansas School for The Deaf. Her hobbies included cooking, sewing, gardening, knitting, crocheting, macrame' and reading her Bible. She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church during her early adulthood. In her late 80's, even though she began to fellowship with her friends at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, she was unwavering in her faith and Christian belief in the Trinity. Eliza was preceded in death by her husband, Will Thomas Taylor Sr.; two children, Alma Taylor and Verna Taylor and two grandchildren, Valerie Brewer and Charles Davis Jr. Cherishing her memory is her brother, Mark Reynolds of Memphis, Tenn.; a son, Will Taylor Jr. (Little Rock); daughters, Maggie Brewer (Chicago, Ill.), Willie Green (Downer's Grove, Ill.), Paula Herron (Maywood, Ill.) and Katherine Reece (Little Rock); 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012 at Greater Second Baptist Church, 5615 Geyer Springs Road. The family will receive friends at 2715 Abigail, Little Rock, Ark.