Shirley Moore Taylor

Shirley Moore Taylor died in the early morning hours of April 17, 2014, at Mobile Nursing and Rehabilitation. She was the eldest child of the late James R. Moore and Lora Chapman Moore and is survived by two siblings, Mrs. Jimmie (Hop) Allen and Mr. Pat (Mary Ann) Moore. Lester and Shirley parented three children: Rennie, Lynda, and Les. Les (Marlene) and Lynda, both now retired, live in Mobile, and Rennie died two years ago. Lots of surviving nieces and nephews knew Aunt Shirley and her flamboyant style.

Born in 1925, Shirley Mae was a child of the Great Depression. She would cite the nickel price tag on a pound bag of candy at Wentworth’s corner store but always, always added, “But who had a nickel?” Certainly, the Moores did not nor did the Cinks or the Reus family around the corner. But they all knew the value of family, neighbors, and church.

In 1942, Shirley married Lester Julanderson Taylor after a chance meeting at Aunt Faye’s boarding house. A six weeks courtship preceded a 50+ year marriage that clearly had Shirley in a culinary supervisory role while Lester cooked, baked and grilled. Shirley’s love of the kitchen began and ended with divinity at Christmas and maybe homemade bread years ago.

After Lester died, Shirley moved to Houston to keep a parental eye on Lynda. Rennie joined the duo a few years later. Because of her declining mental health, Shirley moved back to her beloved Mobile in 2007. With a great deal of fondness—and probably some truth-stretching—she told funny stories about Barton Academy, Yerby School, Bee Sweeney Newton, a dog named Pork Chop, and the Three Georges Candy Shop on Dauphin Street.

Now Shirley’s stories are handed to the next generation. Life goes on. It is, of course, how God’s plan works. Shirley Moore Taylor, a beloved child of God, now has a new story to tell. Amen.