MELBA V. TAYLOR, age 79 years of Darlington, Maryland went home to be with the Lord on Sunday afternoon, January 10, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the wife of James W. Taylor. They celebrated their 60th. wedding anniversary on February 10, 2009.

Mrs. Taylor was born in Elk Creek, Virginia on July 11, 1930 a daughter of the late Carl and Linnie (Martin) Funk. A seamstress, she retired from the former Bata Shoe Co. in the early 1980's after 30 years employment. Following her retirement from Bata, Mrs. Taylor worked in the deli at Klein's Market in Forest Hill for 6 years and then in the deli department of Super Fresh in Bel Air for 5 years. Her latest employment was at the Citgo Station in Darlington where she worked for the past 8 years, even working the day she was taken to the hospital three weeks ago. Her regular customers at the Citgo Station were a source of great joy for her.

Mrs. Taylor was a longtime member of the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, Street, Maryland. As a personal mission of love, with the support of Kim and Dave Mitchell of the E. Stewart Mitchell Company and her church, she and her husband made several trips annually to Bluefield, West Virginia delivering donated school supplies, clothing and toys for Christmas.

A remarkable woman with a magnetic personality, she loved the Lord and was very active in all the activities of the church, always putting her church first.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by:

Four children:

James Douglas Taylor of Putnam, Connecticut

Patricia Lee Eller of Bel Air

Gary Wayne Taylor of Darlington

Cathy Ellen Axelson of Darlington

Two sisters:

Lanthel Taylor of Galax, Virginia

Bettye Osborne of Stuart, Florida

She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, 3135 Dublin Road, Street, MD 21154.

Her pastor, Reverend Tracy J. Duvall will officiate.

Interment will be in Bel Air Memorial Gardens.

Viewing was held at the church on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, her family would appreciate contributions to the church Memorial Fund at the above address.

Pallbearers are her grandsons; Ken Axelson, James Cortinaz, Doug Taylor, Bobby Taylor and Steve Taylor, and her grandson-in-law; Mike Newsome.