Yadira Socorro Taylor

It is with deep sorrow we share the passing of Yadira Socorro Taylor on January 28, 2026, after a courageous battle with heart disease. She went through the gates of Heaven to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, after celebrating her 79th Birthday January 23, surrounded by those closest to her. There are not enough words to describe the magnitude of her personality, she was bigger than life...everything she did was from a Christian Heart, with great passion for others, community advocacy, empowerment of families, and conviction. She was a faithful servant, child of God, a teacher, social worker, mentor, coach, advocate, minister, convicted daughter, sister, and devoted military wife, but above all a loving Mother and Grandmother who prayed daily for her children's blessings and protection.

She is survived by her only daughter, beloved Belkiss Pride Rodriguez, and son-in-law Raymond Bell of Las Vegas, Nevada; Granddaughters and great grandchildren of San Antonio, Texas; Brianna Duarte, husband David; Raven Rodriguez Ahrens, husband Matthew; Jenna Rodriguez; Great grandchildren, Jacob Perez; Andrea Tapia; and Otto Ahrens; and great-great grandson Mordecai Perez who she sadly didn't get to meet, but enjoyed their photos and videos daily.

Yadira was born in Jinotega, Nicaragua, preceded in death to Juan Molina, the daughter of a Congressman and Coffee Grower; mother Corina Soza Welch, a homemaker and Produce Manufacturing Plant Worker; She was raised by her adored Uncle Porfirio Molina, also a diplomat, Coffee Grower and entrepreneur, who molded her to become a savvy Businesswoman and Hotel Manager by the time she was 16 years old. She was the eldest of 7 children, survived by 4 siblings from Merced and Atwater; Harvey Soza, wife, Lupita; Ernesto Soza, wife, Belkis; Ramona Soza, husband, Otoniel Blandon; Maria Corina Soza, husband, Jose; brother Carlos Molina, wife, Ita, of Jinotega, Nicaragua, and preceded in death, by Jose Benjamin Soza from Livingston whom she cared for like a mother at a young age. She is also survived by her Great Aunt, Ramona "Moncha" Soza Flores, who loved her like a daughter; and dear cousin, Martha Soza James, raised as her sister/cousin.

With humble beginnings raised in Nicaragua, she arrived in the United States in 1966 yet never forgot where she came from. She persevered and worked endlessly to learn English; by teaching herself the language, it's customs and diligently prepared to become a US Citizen. Her heart was committed to honor her promise to give back to this country, to her neighborhood and her America, which had had given her so much, the gift of democracy, freedom and prosperity. She kept that promise in the gift of Community Service over a span of 60 years multiple times.

She quickly attained her citizenship in Livingston, CA, attended Merced College, completed her associate's degree, then became a 4th grade teacher at Selma Herndon Elementary. She went on to teach English and Citizenship classes at the college, numerous high schools and community centers in the San Joaquin Valley. She was a true patriot and loved the flag and all it represented. She had a huge heart, ingratiating personality, strength, perseverance, tenacity, often overpowering conviction to help others and defend what's right. As the Matriarch of the family and love for her mother, family and this country, she vowed to work and save to reunite the family in the US and share in these blessings. She kept that promise as well, as 5 of her remaining siblings quickly followed in her footsteps, contributed to the Merced community and raising their families here for the past 55 years.

She was known for her striking beauty, elegant fashion taste, bold colors, impeccable matching accessories, trendy high heel shoes, classy demeanor and mannerisms...she always made a statement walking into any room with her laughter and sometimes temper, she definitely made a lasting impression!

She always led with her heart and conquered through strength and faith.

She left a legacy all over the world, too big to describe, through her ministry, building of churches in various countries in Nicaragua, Central/South America supporting programs in Merced County for the empowerment of Women through her Non-profit ARIDAY, where she sacrificed endless hours to help struggling families after overcoming 2 heart surgeries. She never stopped her dedication to do for others, through teaching English, GED, family counseling and facilitating the path from Immigrant, which we all are, to Citizenship.

Above all she was my mommy, my biggest cheerleader, who loved me unconditionally. She was a true mom to my 4 stepbrothers/sister, Scott, Troy, Erik and Juli Taylor, who she loved and raised as her own. She was an anointed woman after a difficult childhood, blessed and gave me the world.

Her greatest love was my dad, Lt. Col. Dalton Taylor who passed in 2018 with Mom by his side, as a faithful military wife she supported him and his military career unconditionally. She was a devout patriot and held down the fort so my dad could carry out his Diplomatic responsibilities all over the world as a Pilot and a Joint Forces Armistice Affairs Officer on the Korean DMZ.

Our life was blessed with amazing worldwide opportunities, cultural experiences living all over the world, instilling a deep patriotism for our country and the military when we sacrificed living outside the US.

She dedicated herself to supporting my dad's role, his troops, her children and all of the generations in her family...most importantly her church and her Lord Jesus Christ. I know her legacy will live through everyone she touched.

She died peacefully, smiling with stars in her eyes like an angel, she said God extended his hand over her shoulder, with her mother dancing behind her, my Dad holding her hand and Uncle Benny saying "Let's Go"...she is now dancing with Dad to Cristal Gayle, with her crown full of butterflies and jewels well earned...

She was greatly loved and will be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, students and congregants from the San Francisco, Valley, and Los Angeles area. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the kindness the staff and nurses from Mercy Hospital 4th floor, Anberry Rehabilitation and Hampshire Assisted Living showed my mother and our family, especially Micaela, who showed me patience and empathy taking my calls all hours of the night. A special and deep gratitude for the special friends that touched my mother's life with their love, friendship and sacrifices traveling from all over California to support the family and caring for my mother the last 30 years through critical surgeries and illnesses; you too were her sisters, sons, and daughters in Christ; Teresa Jaimes, Betty Pierce, Jenny Negrete, Maria Trelles, Carlos Procopio, Cecy Flores, Florecita Baez, Salvador Sandoval, Ronnie Santiago, Susan Crane and Hilda Chavez. To Pastor Paul Lundgren for being her pastor, her colleague, her mentor and best friend, for always supporting her initiatives, her passion for immigrants, community and women empowerment, and sharing her love to build, do god's work and teach the word, her true Brother in Christ.