Retta A. Taylor
May 23, 1936 ~ February 21, 2018
Retta A. Taylor, age 81, a resident of Volga, WV, passed away on February 21, 2018 in Mansfield Place at Broaddus Hospital. Retta was born May 23, 1936 in Grafton, WV. She was a daughter of the late Forrest Dale and Maud (Davis) Brown. Retta was united in marriage on November 23, 1957 to John S. Taylor, who survives.
Also surviving are her sister, Patricia (Brown) Skidmore of Baltimore, MD, her son John W. (Jack) Taylor and wife Teresa (Wright) Taylor of Volga, WV, her daughter, Dale Ann (Taylor) McHenry and husband H. Winston McHenry of Buckhannon, WV, four grandchildren, Jack Taylor, Columbus, OH, Dr. Jill Taylor Phillips and husband Drew Phillips, Philippi, WV, Pete Sandy and wife Alicia (Depoy) Sandy, Buckhannon, WV, Dustynn (Sandy)McHenry and husband Winston McHenry, II, Buckhannon, WV, and 2 nieces, Kathy Canoles of Panama City, FL and Karen Hacke of Baltimore, MD.
She is also survived by four great grandchildren: Madelyn Phillips, Bryar and Baylor Sandy, and Bo Hollen.
Retta graduated from Alderson Broaddus College in 1964 with a degree in secondary education. She obtained her Masters from Marshall University. Retta was a dedicated high school business and history teacher with a long career spanning forty years. She began teaching at Lumberport High School in 1966. In 1968, she joined the faculty of Philip Barbour High School. After retiring she served as a substitute teacher. Through the years she thoroughly enjoyed teaching and influencing the lives of her students. When not teaching, she enjoyed spending time with her family, watching sports, crocheting, singing in church and community choirs, and visiting with friends at the Philippi Hardees. Retta was also devoted to the family farm that was started by her parents in 1943.
She started her Christian walk at Philippi United Brethren Church as a child and become a long time member of the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. She had also been a member of the Rebekahs.
Friends will be received at the Wright Funeral Home in Philippi 220 N. Walnut St. Philippi on Friday, Feb 23rd from 5-8 pm and will continue on Saturday, Feb 24th at 8 am-1 pm. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 pm with Rev. Dr. Robert Sisler officiating. Internment will follow at the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family graciously requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of West Virginia, 1601 Second Ave, Charleston WV 25387.
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Shon and I send our deepest sympathy, She was a wonderful teacher & it was always nice to see her in Hardee’s after she retired. Prayers for your entire family for this loss.
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Deepest sympathy to the family. Mrs. Taylor was influential in many lives when she taught at Philip Barbour High School; we are honored to have had the privilege to have been in her classroom.
Great Lady always friendly. Prayers to All.
My sincere condolences.
So sorry to hear about Retta. One of my good friends from my teaching days at PB. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
So sorry to read of Mrs. Taylor's passing. May she rest in peace.
very sad I had her for a typing teacher she was a good teacher. sorry for your loss R.I.P. Retta Taylor.
Taught me in Typing 1 and 2. Loved her! Rest In Peace Mrs. Taylor
Dale so sorry for your loss
I was so fortunate to learn from, work with, and know Retta! She was my business teacher when I was a freshman in high school and then was a close friend and mentor when I began substitute teaching at PB. After she retired, I’d often meet her and Jane for coffee and laughs at Hardee’s. She was such a fun-loving, kind woman who always had time for a story and a shared laugh or memory. When I moved away and came back to visit, I always looked for her and getting a visit in with her was a highlight for me. It was a pleasure to call Retta my friend. I am so sorry for your loss.
SHE WAS A GREAT TEACHER AND A WONDERFUL LADY TO ME. SHE TELL YOU WHAT SHE THOUGHT AND I ALWAYS LISTEN. VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE WOMAN ON ALL THINGS. I LOVED HER VERY MUCH.REST IN PEACE, FLY HIGH WITH YOUR WINGS TO HEAVEN. LOVE, KIM CARPENTER
Mrs Taylor was a wonderful teacher i remember her well.She was great lady and will be missed by many.
I’m so sorry to hear about Retta, but know that she touched the lives of so many people and I thank her to this very day for pushing me to try harder and excel at typing!!
God bless her soul, and I hope you know that Retta, and your entire family meant a lot to the Stafford family! Bless her soul. Sincerest condolence!
Tracy Stafford-Dunnavant
She will dearly be missed. A great women and teacher that influenced me, at times, daily. Reta was a good friend and was my mothers greatest friend of all. You will be missed, but not forgotten.
We were saddened to read of Retta's passing. May God Bless and Comfort you at this most difficult time and in the days ahead.
John and family. Mary Alice and I were so saddened to hear Retta had passed away. What a wonderful lady, teacher, friend and most of all a classy person. I first met her on the Barbour Country Club golfing and then following little Pete in LL baseball. A great mom, gma, and wife. What a caring person she's truly going to be missed. You're all in our thoughts and prayers. Holt & Mary Alice Poling
Proverbs 1:1-33 ESV
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, …
Mrs. Taylor challenged students to do their best work and dispensed practical wisdom beyond course content. Education was her passion. She made a difference.
Condolences to her loved ones in this difficult season. May God give you peace through the Prince of Peace until that glorious reunion day.
I was so saddened when I seen that Mrs. Taylor had passed away. I had Mrs. Taylor in school and she was by far one of my favorite teachers ever. She taught me so much! She will be saddly missed. May God wrap his loving arms around you all during this difficult time, give you strength and comfort as well. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, Retta, for being such a great typing teacher! I probably would not have headed in my chosen profession of court reporting if not for your class. What a terrible disease to have suffered. To your family, I am sincerely sorry and wishing you God's peace during this sad time.
John, Dale, and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all.
Mrs. Taylor was a huge influence on my life and I am go grateful that she drove typing skills into my unwilling fingers! She was a wonderful teacher and I am sorry for your loss
Dale we were so sad to hear of the passing of your mother. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Maggie & Bill
Pt Charlotte, Fl
Good bye to my best friend in the world. Love you.
Good Bye Mrs. Retta , You will be well miss. RIP
Our thoughts and PRAYERS are with you all.
God Bless you Retta Taylor, enjoyed having you as our friend
So sorry for your loss what a wonderful Lady and Teacher you all our in my prayers
In memory of Retta A. Taylor, Betty and Paul Miller lit a candle
I’m very sorry to hear. My warmest sympathy to Dale and the family. Mrs Taylor knew she had to keep us boys in line in her typing class and we could tell she wanted the best for us at the same time. A perfect teacher in many ways. She had a warm smile which we would see when we weren’t in trouble. Rest In Peace Mrs Taylor – thank you for all the smiles.
Jim Keen
I remember Mrs. Taylor from working at the High School. She was very dedicated to her students. Sorry for your loss.
Co worker
May God Bless your family,
Cheryl Jenkins
We are so sorry to read that Retta has passed. Our deepest sympathy is with all of you.
Hugs and prayers,
Ron and Cathy Root