Thelma Gwendoline Taylor

Thelma Taylor's Eulogy 1923 - 2012 On May 27 1923 Thelma Gwendoline Taylor lovingly known as Gwen, was born in the parish of St. Mary Jamaica, West Indies to parents Joseph and Lurline Richards. Thelma met her lifelong partner Clifford (Cliff) in England and they exchanged marriage vows in 1959. Clifford pre-deceased Thelma in 1998, He left her with a wonderful son, Noel, and four grandchildren. Thelma had one sister Linneth Grant (Vie), who gave her 5 nephews and three nieces. Thelma grew up with a very large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins whose families have remained closely knit. Her sister Vie was deceased in 1968. Thelma attended Carron Hall Primary School where she achieved a general education certification. She studied Mental Health Nursing at Bellevue Hospital in Kingston and Registered Nursing at Kingston Public Hospital. In 1955 after migrating to England she achieved a British Nursing Certificate. She developed a love for maternal/ child care nursing and in 1959 she received her Midwifery Teacher's Diploma. In 1965 she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from St. Joseph's College in Brooklyn, NY; in 1977 while in Nashville Tennesse...[more]

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a Master of Science Degree in Nursing. From 1952 to 1970 Thelma worked as a Registered Nurse in Jamaica, England and New York. She practiced Midwifery in England, New York and Tennessee. In 1978 USAid offered Thelma a position to manage a project as an Administrator/ Teacher at the School of Midwifery, Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay, Jamaica. She bravely accepted this position and migrated to Jamaica while her husband Clifford continued to reside in Miami Florida. In 1982 after successfully completing the project, Thelma returned to Florida and accepted a position as a Professor, Department of Genetics at the University of Miami. Since childhood Thelma has always been mild mannered with a quiet demeanor, graceful humble and loving. However she was effective in getting her message across. She accepted challenges and never left a task unaccomplished. One exceptional challenge for her was attempting to drive herself around in Montego Bay Jamaica in her new green Pinto motor car, lovingly purchased by her husband Cliff. A note of interest, Up to that time Thelma had very little driving experience and was always chauffeured by Cliff. Thelma enjoyed traveling, reading and debating. She never missed an opportunity to impart knowledge. Thelma truly loved the Lord and had been a Christian for many years. She joined the Metropolitan Baptist Church since moving to Florida in 1982 and remained a very active member until the time of her illness. She was a mentor and role model for both adults and children. She touched many lives and made an impact on everyone she encountered. After a long illness Thelma went to be with the Lord on June 16, 2012. She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her son, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and numerous relatives and friends. May her soul rest in peace. Vistation on Friday, June 22nd from 4:00 ~ 8:00 P.M. at Fred Hunter's Hollywood Memorial Garden Home, 6301 Taft Street in Hollywood. Funeral Service and Celebration of Gwen's Life will be held on Saturday, June 23rd at 10:00 A.M. at the Metropolitan Baptist Church, 7200 Davie Road Extention, Hollywood, Florida 33024 In lieu of flowers, a dontation will be accepted for the Metropolitan Baptist Church Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to Metropolitan Baptist Church (address above) noting "Scholarship Fund" on memo line.