Thoko Ella Taylor

12/17/1959 – 8/15/2021

Thokozile Ella Kesiilwe Taylor was born on December 17, 1959 in Johannesburg, South Africa and passed away on August 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

She was the youngest of six children born to her parents Rre Ophaketse Simon and Mme Velaphi Christinah Kesiilwe. She was born in Meadowlands, a township in Soweto, during Apartheid, an era in South Africa when black people were isolated by the white-ruled government. Interestingly, Thoko was born the same year “The Boycott Movement” was initiated in London, which expanded into the international Anti-Apartheid Movement in March 1960. Her birth three months prior to the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa also became significant to Thoko during her teenage years, when her awareness of efforts to overcome Apartheid grew.

Thoko’s parents raised their children in a loving Christian home and made many sacrifices to put their children first. Her father worked as a welder and her mother as a housekeeper. She had three older brothers – Boy, Jabulani and Pule plus two older sisters – Mabel and Mpho.

Another positive influence that helped shape Thoko’s gentle spirit and love for Jesus was her participation in the “Youth Alive” group at Meadowlands Baptist Church in Soweto.

She cherished the memories of her fellowship there. She always held her fellow members close to her heart and stayed in contact with many of them for fifty years.

Thoko had a nurturing soul which led her to pursue a career in nursing. She earned her license as a Registered Nurse at the age of 21. Wanting to provide better opportunities for her children, Kagiso and Thabang, in 1996 Thoko took a traveling nurse position in Saudi Arabia, where she could earn more money for her family. She returned home to South Africa for a short while before relocating to the United States in April 2001 and making a home in Barstow, California. Thoko studied to earn her California nursing license and obtained an R.N. position at Barstow Community Hospital.

Thoko met her husband Tom toward the end of 2008 and they married on April 4, 2009.

She broadened Tom’s horizons in many ways. They both loved traveling together and enjoyed trips in the U.S. and to South Africa. Thoko also expanded Tom’s relationships to include her warm and welcoming South African family.

Thoko made many godly friends in Barstow, several of whom were her co-workers at Barstow Hospital. Cynthia Burns, her dear best friend, served as an invaluable help to Tom and Thoko during Thoko’s health struggles of the past couple years. As an obstetric nurse, Thoko had the joy of helping bring new babies into the world. She also was blessed to be one of a group of nurses who called themselves the “O.B. Sisters”. They supported each other at work and periodically met for lunch or shopping or “spa” days to enjoy their friendship.

Thoko was a very loving, generous and humble person and maintained her friends in South Africa mainly through the various social platforms, and some even visited her home in the US. Her huge circle of friends includes those from her primary schooling years at Retlile Primary School leading to her secondary school years at Raupawane-Sepeng in Rustenburg. Some recall her from Class 80C at Baragwanath Hospital and her working years at various clinics in Soweto. She was fondly known as Ausi Thoko to her neighbors young and old and many recall her sweet soft voice and gentle laugh.

Thoko is survived by her husband, Thomas Taylor of Barstow; her children Kagiso, Thabang, and Luke; sister Mpho Netsianda and sister-in-law Dinah MaShabangu Mkhize. She leaves behind many nephews, nieces and grandchildren in both the United States and South Africa.

Thoko always kept a fierce love for her home country and will be buried at Nasrec Memorial Park in her hometown of Soweto, a township of Johannesburg, South Africa.

A memorial service and reception to celebrate Thoko’s life will take place on August 27 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 1320 Barstow Rd., Barstow, CA.

ROBALA KA KAGISO MMA NTSAPOGANE NTSU-A-PHAKELA MORWA MAKGAOLA E SOKA

Ngwana wa ga Ophaketse – a – Tsapoga – a – Kesiilwe – a – Sekadieta – a – Monametsi – a – Mhaladi – a – Legwejane –a –Mmamorepo ko Maunatlaleng ko Molepolole

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.meadcares.com for the Taylor family.