Helen Nannie Taylor (Lansing)

Mrs. Nannie Helen (Strickland) Taylor passed away Saturday, February 15, 2020 in Okemos, Michigan. Age 85 years. She was born on August 3, 1934 in Stokes County, North Carolina to Floyd Chester Strickland and Florence Augusta (Fralin) Strickland. She was one of 11 children born to this union. Helen was a graduate of J.J. Jones High School and later attended a business college.

Helen met Gray Taylor and they were united in Holy Matrimony. They were blessed with 5 children, Gregory, Yvette, Rhonda, Karen and James. Through Gray’s military career, the family was afforded the opportunity to see much of the world, living in Japan for 4 years, Germany 3 ½ years and exploring other European countries including England, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Upon the family’s return to the United State, they moved to Oscoda, Michigan. Later, Helen made Lansing, Michigan home; and thereafter, Trinity “A.M.E. Church, her place of worship.

Her love and compassion for people were reflected in her choices in career and volunteering. She served as a volunteer assisting Japanese high school students with language skills, participated with the Churchhill Downs Neighborhood Association and helped Lansing School District children. As a Sarah Coventry Sales Representative, Helen shared her passion for fashion. Helen established a nonprofit modeling organization for the benefit of missing and exploited children. She retired from AT&T customer service to provide health and wellness services through the opening of a Ceragem Center in Columbus, Ohio.

She also enjoyed family gatherings, J.J. Jones class and Strickland-Taylor Family Reunions, playing games and sports including bowling, softball, golf, Bingo, Scrabble and Yahtzee. Her commitment to growing spiritually was evidenced by her ongoing requests to receive Our Daily Bread, which she read along with her Bible until her health and vision declined in recent years.

Among those left to celebrate Helen’s life are her children, Gregory Taylor of Lansing, Michigan, Yvette Taylor of Lansing, Michigan, Rhonda (Bruce) Williams of Detroit, Michigan, Karen Cauley of Lansing, Michigan and James (Bernice) Taylor of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Sadie George; brothers, Elder James Strickland, Joe Louis (Mary) Strickland and George W. (Connie) Strickland; special friends, Andre Greer, Walter Norman and Lyle Ross; 9 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Helen was preceded in death by her mother, father, sisters, Addie Nora Strickland, Marie Whitlock and Lavolia Tumpkin; brothers, Thomas Strickland, John D. Strickland and Aaron Strickland.