Beloved community stalwart, Joyce 'The Rev.' Taylor, dies at 64

Joyce Taylor aka “Rev.,” the youngest daughter of Mildred Taylor and the late Bernard Taylor, was born at Metropolitan Hospital on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1960. She died suddenly on Jan. 7 at the age of 64.  

Taylor grew up in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and moved to the Marble Hill Houses with her family in 1964. Taylor loved the outdoors and could often be seen riding her bicycle through the Marble Hill grounds and all over the Bronx.

She attended first grade at St. John’s Elementary School on Godwin Terrace. She continued to St. John’s Middle School graduating in 1974. She attended Aquinas High School for Girls in the Bronx’s Little Italy and went on to Mount Saint Vincent/Manhattan College in Riverdale. She played for the Manhattan Jaspers her freshman year where her former assistant high school coach was the new head coach. Taylor was the only Black young woman on her team. She often extended her physical prowess on the basketball courts in Marble Hill, playing the neighborhood boys and often beating them in games of one-on-one, many times to their dismay and even embarrassment.

She graduated with a B.A. degree and earned a double major in accounting and computer science.

Her first job was as an accountant at East New York Savings Bank on 42^nd Street and Sixth Avenue. Several years later she worked in the finance department at Carver Federal Savings Bank on 125^th Street in Harlem. It was and still is the largest Black-owned financial institution in the United States.

Taylor later joined the Foster Care Agency Family Unit Services on Fordham Road in the Bronx as a financial advisor and bookkeeper. While on her career ascension she soon found herself in the finance department at Equitable, a notable longstanding Financial Institution in Manhattan.

She aimed to expand her financial literacy talents and found an interest in tax filing. While working at Equitable, she landed a seasonal part time opportunity with H&R Block in the mid-90s as a tax professional. She quickly became a leading tax preparer of her store and district, earning her the well-deserved promotion to manager. She acquired a newly built office in the Bronx and truly loved all the clients she served in the community for nearly 30 years.

Taylor was extremely dedicated to the tax preparation industry and taught classes for new tax preparers during the off season every summer, winter and fall.

In 1995, Taylor answered her true calling when she became an ordained minister. She spent several years serving as an assistant Pastor and built many long-lasting relationships with quite a few churches throughout The Bronx.

She truly loved serving the Lord, and to the surprise of her family and close friends who knew her to shy away from public speaking, she was quite comfortable in the pulpit. She had a gift for preaching the gospel. As her confidence grew in Christ, and she became more intentional on spreading his word, she was presented with the great opportunity of hosting her own television show on BronxNet, “Armed with the Word.” The cable network honored her legacy with a special note and interview on their website.

After several successful years, she was granted a second show that aired on Time Warner Cable, “God’s Health Plan 4U.” In 2012, she joined the St. Stephens United Methodist Church on W. 228^th Street where she happily served until her death.

Taylor held many titles and many different roles, but the one she was proudest of was, “Mom.” On August 23^rd, 1981, she welcomed her son Brandon Eugene Taylor into the world. And he was her pride and joy. She also dearly loved her niece Chloe, who she affectionately called “girlie”.

Along with longtime family friend and big brother Tommy Lockhart, Taylor co-founded the Marble Hill 225 Reunion and Development Group in 2008 with a goal to create and enhance programs for seniors and teens. As CFO, Taylor worked diligently and obtained a 501c3 non-profit status for the organization. This allowed the committee to host the annual Marble Hill Reunion Weekend each summer. The weekend included a Gala night, Saturday BBQ, kid friendly games, and a basketball tournament. Joyce delighted in this weekend, and bringing from the neighborhood she loved together.

Taylor loved to laugh, connecting with people, helping others and serving God.

She is survived by her mother Mildred, her sister Bonita, her niece Chloe, her son Brandon and a host of cousins.