Joan Elizabeth Taylor

Joan Elizabeth Taylor, 85, of Portsmouth, a longtime Los Angeles, CA resident, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Ohio State University Hospital-Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. She was surrounded by loved ones. She was born March 14, 1938, in Portsmouth, to the late Cassius Pedro and Pauline Celestine Melvin Taylor.

Joan was an excellent cook who enjoyed preparing delicious meals for her family. She had a terrific sense of humor, an infectiously loving disposition, a caring and generous heart, and a natural motherly instinct for her sons, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was a 1956 Portsmouth High School graduate and had attended Allen Chapel AME Church. Joan worked for almost three decades as a property manager for Crenshaw Village and John L. Jones & Sons residential apartment homes in Los Angeles. She managed well over 300 units during her career.

Surviving Joan are her two sons, former Los Angeles Presiding Judge, Hon. Eric Charles Taylor of Los Angeles and Probation Officer Los Angeles County, Chad Ricole (Terri) Taylor of Santa Clarita, CA; one brother, James Taylor of Atlanta, GA; four grandchildren, Dominque Taylor,  Haley A. Taylor, Callen Ottis and Andre Taylor Sr.; three great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, as well as other children that she guided throughout her life.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by seven siblings, Anthony, Bradley, Cassius “Tad” and Donna Jean Taylor, Judith Jackson, Joyce McAden and Lois Haley.

 A Memorial Service and Celebration of Joan’s Life will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Elder Ralph Clay will officiate with arrangements under the direction of the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth.

Joan’s family would like to thank everyone for their support, love and prayers throughout this difficult time. 

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