Obituary of Retta A. Taylor
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.
