GRACE WILLIAMS-TAYLOR

Nov. 10, 1932 - June 27, 2009
SOUTH BEND - "His Lord said unto him, well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" St. Matthew 25:21

Grace G. Williams Taylor, 76, formerly of 1021 W. Oak St., was called home on June 27, 2009, after a long-term illness. Grace was born November 10, 1932, in Macon, GA, to the union of Isaac and Dollie Lee Taylor. They relocated to South Bend, IN, where Grace was a graduate of South Bend Central High School in 1951.

Grace was an accomplished classical pianist and played for the South Bend Conservatory of Music. One of her favorite pieces was "The Moonlight Sonata." Grace loved to travel. She talked about how one of her favorite places to live was New York City. She later relocated to Chicago, IL, where she was united in Holy Matrimony to Pete Mack Williams, who preceded her in death in 1985. From their union four children were born. Grace was a dedicated employee to Sears Roebuck and Co. in Chicago, IL. She relocated to South Bend, IN, in 1978 and continued her employment for Sears until her retirement in 2004.

Grace allowed God into her life at a young age. She was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church where her mother and several family members were also members. She was very dedicated to serving God and her church for several years.

Grace leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Patrick and Christopher Williams of South Bend, IN; and two daughters, Gayle Davis of South Bend, IN, and Nanci Williams of East St. Louis, MO; three granddaughters, Shalanda and Monica Jackson, and Markisha Newbill of South Bend, IN; and three grandsons, Revelle (Maurice) Woods of South Bend, IN, and Darius and Ellis Williams of GA; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Tiyana Jackson and Mikayla Jackson-Crumbley of South Bend, IN; seven brothers, Ruben (Roberta) Taylor of Detroit, MI, Joseph (Betty) Taylor, Benjamin (Marlene) Taylor, Carl (Marilyn) Taylor and David (Vera) Taylor, all of South Bend, IN, and James (Lavonne) Taylor and Sanford (Sharon) Taylor of Akron, OH; four sisters, Ruth Johnson of Atlanta, GA, Alice (Bud) Milon, Louise (Charles) Green and MaryAnn (Buford) Flilliard, all of South Bend, IN.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Benner Taylor, and one sister, Lena Mae Henry, along with her parents, Isaac Taylor and Dollie Redding-Taylor. She also leaves to mourn several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

She was a very dedicated woman to her family (The Redding Family) and just loved to be surrounded by people she loved. Her name "Grace" sums up what she represented, a woman of "grace" and of dignity. Her presence, loving nature and hospitality will be missed by many who knew her. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord" Psalms 23:6

A celebration of her life will be held Friday, July 3rd, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service in Pilgrim Baptist Church, located at 116 Birdsell St. in South Bend, IN. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka, IN. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jul. 2, 2009.

03/05/2023 EJS