Donna Jean (Smith) Taylor

Donna Jean Smith Taylor, aged 73, passed away on January 24, 2025, at her home in Jacksonville, FL. She is survived by her children, Terry Lee Smith, Vadie Sue Jewell, and Cecilia Denease Taylor; by four grandchildren, and by her brother, Thomas Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleveland Denny Taylor, and her parents, James Donald Smith and Jacquelyn Sue Hearn Smith. Donna retired from S&G Packaging of Yulee, FL, where she operated machinery for making paper bags. Donna had many creative talents, reflected in her crochet creations, flower arrangements, drawings, and poetry. But her passion was cooking and sharing the joy of cooking, especially Southern cuisine. In 2000, she and her mother published When All Else Fails, Cook, a collection of their favorite recipes along with poems and witty sayings. Donna believed everyone should be treated with dignity and was a strong supporter of women's and LGBTQ+ rights.

No memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation "in memory of Donna Taylor" to Planned Parenthood (https://www.plannedparenthood.org), Hubbard House (https://www.hubbardhouse.org), or JASMYN (https://www.jasmyn.org).