Geraldine Taylor

Geraldine Hayes Taylor—known affectionately to many as Gerry—passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 11, 2025, at her home in Atlanta, Georgia, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly. She was seventy-seven years old.

A DETROIT BEGINNING

Gerry was born on May 4, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, to Essie Mae and Damon Casey Hayes. She grew up alongside her older sister, Sheila, during the vibrant 1950s and 60s in a household filled with warmth and high expectations. A naturally curious and outgoing child, Gerry spent her early years playing outdoors with neighborhood children, cultivating a love of learning, laughter, and line dancing that would define her bold approach to life.

At Northwestern High School, she flourished—serving as Senior Class Treasurer, a spirited cheerleader, and competitive swimmer. She graduated in 1966, already displaying the leadership and determination that would carry her through the decades ahead.

SCHOLAR, SOCIAL WORKER, SERVANT

Gerry pursued higher education with characteristic drive. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Eastern Michigan University in 1971, followed by her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1974—notably receiving her MSW on her twenty-sixth birthday. Armed with her credentials and an unwavering commitment to helping others, she stood poised to make her mark.

Her original plan was to launch her career in New York City. But destiny had other arrangements. During a visit to family in Southern California, Gerry attended a house party hosted by her Aunt Ozell, where she met a musician named Richard Kelsey Taylor. She found herself captivated—not only by Richard but by the laid-back California lifestyle. When she decided to move west, her father cautioned that she was "leaving a job to go to no job" and, worse still, chasing after "a musician." But Gerry's pioneering spirit could not be dissuaded. She drove cross-country to meet her destiny.

That gamble paid off quickly. During an informational interview at a boys' residential facility run by the Department of Youth Authority, a fellow University of Michigan alumnus offered her a position on the spot. This marked the beginning of a distinguished thirty-year career with the State of California. After serving with the Department of Youth Authority, she transitioned to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, working within the Prisons Division before moving to the Parole Division. There, she rose to the rank of Regional Unit Supervisor—Parole Agent III—overseeing the Santa Fe Springs Parole Complex. She retired with honors on October 1, 2004, celebrated at a luncheon by friends and colleagues who had witnessed her unwavering dedication to public service.

LOVE, FAMILY, AND HOME

The musician her father worried about became the love of her life. Gerry and Richard dated for years before eloping to the Candlelight Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas on May 22, 1981. Together, they built a beautiful life and welcomed two children: Jordan in 1984 and Amani in 1988. In December 1986, the family settled into their home in Diamond Bar, California, where they would remain for nearly thirty-nine years, filling the rooms with love, laughter, and purpose.

Gerry was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, godmother, and grandmother. She loved her family fiercely and loyally. She held her children to high standards—both of achievement and of character—teaching them to dream big, live boldly with honor and integrity, think critically, pursue their passions relentlessly, and never forget to reach back and help others along the way.

A LIFE OF PRINCIPLE

Though Gerry marched to the beat of her own drum, she did things by the book. She operated from a strict moral code and sense of decorum, unapologetic and uncompromising in her beliefs. She often shared stories of being faced with an easier path that might compromise her values versus a righteous path, which was almost always more difficult. For Gerry, the choice was never in question. She believed that doing the right thing—especially when inconvenient—was the only path worth taking, and that no advantage gained through compromise could ever be justified.

She demanded excellence, believing that thoughts become actions. Whether the task was large or small, she reminded those around her to always be mindful of their thoughts and to do their best in all they undertake. She believed deeply in the transformative power of reading and education, seeing them as tools that could propel future generations to surpass what she had achieved.

FAITH AND SPIRIT

Gerry was a devoted Christian—a child of God who loved the Lord. Her faith anchored her through every season of life, including a courageous private battle with Parkinson's disease and dementia that spanned more than two decades. Through it all, she faced each day with the same quiet strength and dignity that had always defined her.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Gerry found joy in life's quieter moments: listening to radio mysteries, swaying to Motown music, and watching classic westerns starring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. She was an avid reader and a passionate gardener who filled her Diamond Bar home with flowers—especially roses of every color. Above all, she loved to smile and laugh, and those who knew her were blessed to share in that warmth.

"Never give up your power." — Geraldine Hayes Taylor

THOSE WHO CARRY HER FORWARD

Gerry is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Kelsey Taylor;

her son, Jordan Hayes Taylor, and daughter-in-law, Elaine Sunmi Kwon;

her daughter, Amani Rachel Taylor;

her grandson, William Wolf Taylor;

and her goddaughter, Teresa Youngblood.

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A dreamer, a servant, a woman of faith and conviction—

Geraldine Hayes Taylor will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A visitation will be held on December 12, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at H M Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, located at 173 Allen Rd NE, Sandy Springs, Georgia. The funeral service will follow at the same location from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm and will be available via live stream at https://vimeo.com/event/5563346.

The committal service will take place at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, Georgia, at 3:00 pm on December 12, 2025.

A reception will be held at H M Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd NE, Sandy Springs, Georgia, starting at 4:00 pm on December 12, 2025.