Bernice "Buzz" Alice Taylor

Bernice Alice Taylor, known to most as “Buzz” and to her many students as “Mrs. Taylor” stepped through Heaven’s pearly gates on November 1, 2011, at the young age of 82. She was at her home in Arcata, surrounded by her family and a host of angels.

Mom was born on May 29, 1929, in Upper Lake, California, to Harold Oliver Helm and Mary Alice (Griggs) Helm. She was blessed to have 2 brothers, Jackie Ott Helm, who passed away at the tender age of 2, and Jimmy Lee Helm. Mom lived in Lake County until the age of 5, when they relocated to Arcata to live near family. She was a resident of Arcata for 75 years, where she attended Arcata Elementary School, Arcata Union High School and, while raising 3 children, graduated from Humboldt State University in 1964 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Bernice Helm and George “Del” Taylor were married on December 21, 1952, in Arcata, while Dad was home on leave while serving in the Air Force during the Korean War. They resided in Waco, Texas, until Dad was discharged in 1953 and have resided in Arcata since, where they raised their 3 children, Danny, Georgette and Dale.

Mom worked at the Arcata Theatre while in high school. She then went to work for Bank of America in Arcata as a bookkeeper and teller. It was while she worked at Bank of America that she met a handsome young co-worker named Del Taylor, who stole her heart. Dad enlisted in the Air Force that summer and 2 ½ years later they were married. Mom and Dad would have celebrated their 59th anniversary this year.

After graduating from HSU, Mom taught kindergarten at Sunny Brae Elementary School from 1964 to 1978. She then went to the Arcata Christian School and taught kindergarten at ACS for another 14 years, until she retired in 1991 to be a full-time Granny.

Mom was an accomplished seamstress and not only sewed her daughter’s school clothes, but also made her own draperies, and many handmade quilts. She mad many dresses that were handed down through her 4 granddaughters. She loved to sing, and had a praise on her lips for the Lord all day long. She sang to her children, grandchildren and finally to Gabriel, her cherished great-grandson whom she babysat until last December.

Mom was always active, her hands never idle. She always had on an apron when she was in the kitchen, where more than likely something was cooking on the stove. You never went hungry at Granny Taylor’s house. She was a wonderful cook and always willing to take a dish to potlucks and family events. The favorite of her grandchildren was Granny’s chocolate pies.

Mom took us camping many summers at Richardsons Grove, French’s and Cabana Holiday. Every summer for years our family went to church camp at Camp Pinecroft in Grass Valley. In the early 1970s, Mom and Dad built our beloved Trinity Lake house. It was a family project and everyone had a job to do. Grandpa Taylor and Mom’s brother, Jimmy, helped on the house too, in addition to many friends. It was then that the whole family took up water skiing. Mom loved Trinity Lake, and her grandchildren also grew up loving water sports.

Mom was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Arcata, the Campton Heights Baptist Church in Fortuna, the Arcata First Baptist Church, the Bayside Presbyterian Church, and has been a member of the Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods for the past 2 years. She chaperoned numerous youth outings, youth ski trips, and youth campouts at Trinity Lake. She sang in the choir at several churches, helped in ladies auxiliary, but most of all she loved to worship the Lord.

Mom is survived by her loving husband of almost 59 years, George Delbert Taylor, and her children and their spouses, Danny (and Cassandra) Taylor of Phoenix, Arizona, Georgette (and Steven) Trump of Arcata, and Dale (and Judy) Taylor of Eureka. She is survived by 8 grandchildren, Serena (Rene) Ontiveros, Todd Taylor, Lawrence (Melonie) Trump, Alicen Trump, Vanessa (Eric) Cooper, Dorian Torrez, Holly Trump (fiancé, Alex Bateman) and Arielle Torrez. She is survived by 4 great-grandchildren, Michael Cooper, Gabriel Trump, Julian Torrez, and Celestina Ovante. She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mom was predeceased by her brothers Jackie Helm, Jimmy Helm, and sister-in-law, Enna Helm.

Visitation will be conducted at Paul’s Chapel, 1070 H Street, Arcata, on Monday, November 7, 2011, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Private family visitation will be from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Services will be held at the First Assembly of God Church, 1060 Hoover Street, Eureka, on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., Pastor Charles Clark officiating.

Pallbearers will be Todd Taylor, Lawrence Trump, III, Eric Cooper, Alex Bateman, Shawn Costa and Paul Helm.

A reception will follow at the Arcata Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1425 J Street, Arcata, immediately after the service. There will be a brief private graveside interment for family only immediately following the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata.

Services are under the direction of Paul’s Chapel in Arcata.

Our family would like to thank Mad River Home Health, St. Joseph Hospital Home Health and especially Hospice of Humboldt for assisting with Mom’s therapy and care. We would like to thank Lawrence Senffner, M.D., for his compassionate care of Mom.

In addition, we would never have been able to manage Mom’s care at home without the loving assistance of Deborah Jimenez (niece), Caroline Matthews, Kay Taylor (sister-in-law), Maryanne Meyers, Robert from Hospice (whom we have all come to love), Marilyn Westberg, Lenore Anvick, Ron and Amanda Sachs, Verona Sorenson, and the many other friends, family and neighbors who brought food and provided care. May the Lord bless you for blessing us.

Mother was a servant of all, our hero, our joy, and is now our guardian angel. She will be missed beyond words.

To leave messages and condolences for the family please visit www.paulschapel.com.