Bettye M Taylor

Bettye Milton Taylor, 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 25, 2021, in the presence of family. It would have been her 69th wedding anniversary. Her husband, Charles (Chuck) H. Taylor, originally from Georgia, predeceased her in April 2009. Bettye and Chuck were long-standing residents of Northern Virginia. Bettye was born in Georgia to Robert H. and Mabel Bond Milton. Mabel moved to Florida after her husband passed away from tuberculosis. Mabel taught high school English for many years and drove around town in a navy blue, convertible Mustang. Bettye is survived by her sisters, Mrs. Peggy Hopkins and Mrs. Wilhelmina Jenkins, both of Florida; her children, Sharon Chamberlin and Hal Taylor; four grandchildren (Taylor, Milton, Bradshaw, and Clayton), and two great-grandchildren (Madison and Peyton) who are all missing her humor, love, kindness, and compassion. Surviving family on her husband’s side include: June and Joe Spooner, Dottie Taylor, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bettye was a loving, kind, and caring mother to her children and offspring, and always had time to listen and provide wise counsel. She loved keeping up with national and international current events and discussing these matters with friends and family. Being a third-generation college graduate was always a source of pride for Bettye, especially in a time when many women did not have that opportunity. Bettye attended Duke University, and after fighting and winning a battle with tuberculosis, she graduated from Mercer University. Bettye was a conscientious and hard-working homemaker. She was known to her friends’ young children as the "mom who threw the best birthday parties". She loved to plan events, cook for friends and family, and prepare sit-down family meals. She was an expert shopper who delighted in finding the best deals on clothes for her children. Her strength, determination and character were reflected in being a breast cancer survivor since the 1970s. In her later life, Bettye was an avid book reader and was talented in playing bridge. She enjoyed playing bridge with several groups in the neighborhood that were serious bridge players and quite competitive. Bettye maintained her independence during her senior years and enjoyed socializing and attending events with many of her dear friends. She was blessed with many wonderful friends and kind neighbors with whom she was always happy to sit and chat in her backyard. These friends included her church family from Little Falls Presbyterian Church. Bettye's love of God and her spiritual approach to life was central to the manner in which she lived and her sincere interest and interactions with others. Visitation with Bettye Taylor, her friends and family will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021, between the hours of 2 – 4 pm and 6 - 8 pm at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street in Falls Church, VA 22046. Interment at National Memorial Park will be private and limited to immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (www.nationalbreastcancer.org) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-fh.com for the Taylor family.