Anna Dell Taylor

Our beloved Anna Dell Taylor passed away, peacefully, in the early morning hours of Friday, January 11, 2019 at her home in San Francisco, CA. 

Anna Dell Taylor was born on July 28, 1920 to the late William and Lennie Jefferson Harris in Merryville, Louisiana.  She was the eldest of four: one sister and two brothers; raised in Shreveport, Louisiana where she also received her education in the public-school system.

Anna accepted Jesus Christ at an early age.  She was baptized, then joined the Morning Start Baptist Church in Clarks, Louisiana under the pastorate of Reverend W.L. Gayton.  After her marriage to George Smith, Anna Dell was blessed with the birth of her two children: sons, Roy and Anthony Smith. 

In 1940, after relocating with her family to Houston Texas, she became a member of Good Hope Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend George Lucas.  She, again, relocated to (Richmond, then San Francisco) California where she became a member, in 1959, of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Hamilton T. Boswell; a church she would consider home for the remainder of her life.

In 1986 she married Nashelle Taylor under the blessing of Reverend Boswell.  With him, our cherished Anna loved to travel.  Her adventures took her throughout the United States, and she enjoyed her tours throughout Asia, Europe, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. 

At Jones United Methodist Church Anna Dell was a tireless servant who participated in many ministry areas.  She served as a past chairperson of the Worship Committee, a member of the Social Concerns Committee, Age Level and Family Committee, Adult Sunday School, Trustee Board, Membership, Care and Evangelism Committee, Jones Credit Union Board of Directors, United Methodist Women as well as being responsible for many of the church fundraisers.

Other memberships included the Omega Boys Club, Sickle Cell Group at the UC Medical Center, Volunteer at Laguna Honda Hospital, the Jolly Jester Senior Club, The Spiders Civil Social Club.  She is a past President of the Amicae, an auxiliary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. which supported students through a four-year tenure in college.  In 1999 Anna was chosen as the Christian Woman of the Year by the National Council of Negro Women, San Francisco.  She was also a lifetime member of the NAACP.

She was employed at the University of California Medical Center as a Dietetic Assistant for thirty-four years before her retirement.  While employed, she was recognized several times for contributions and awarded for outstanding and exceptional service.

In addition, she had various hobbies she relished, such as food preparation and presentation, clothing tailoring and alterations, and anyone who knows her knows she was a marvelous social-gathering planner and host; her hospitality was boundless.  In particular, she had a great fondness of her presentation of ice sculptures that were truly remarkable. 

Anna Dell was dedicated to her family, whom she adored.  She will be remembered for being a social butterfly who loved being in the presence of her loving friends and family; we will remember the incredible love and compassion she possessed for all of her family and friends, her welcoming demeanor and warm, sweet personality. 

Anna Dell Taylor leaves to mourn her son Roy Smith; her grandchildren Eric Smith, Kimathi Smith, Kirsten Smith and Rachel Smith; her great-grandchildren Amari Taylor, Eliijah Taylor, Zaire Taylor and Karah-Grace Smith; her niece Lennie-Ann and nephew Rudy Harris; along with numerous relatives and a host of close long-time friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents William Harris Jr. and Lennie Jefferson; her husband Nashelle Taylor; her son, Anthony Smith; her sister, Iola “Honey” Harris Magee and her brothers Henry Harris and Shepard Harris.

Viewing will be held at Duggan’s Funeral Service at 3434 17th Street, San Francisco CA on Thursday, January 17, 2019 between 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 18, 2019 at Jones United Methodist Church in San Francisco.  Services will commence at 10:00 AM. Reverend Harold G. Gordon will officiate.

Interment will follow at Skylawn Memorial Park; Highway 92 at Skyline Boulevard, San Mateo CA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anna Dell Taylor, please visit our floral store.