Mary Sue Williams Taylor passed peacefully into the Lord's care, surrounded by family, in her home on March 21, 2019 at the age of 79. She is preceded in death by her husband, Herman "Smut" Weldon Taylor, and her parents, William Foster and Clara Dupree Williams.

Mary Sue was born and raised on South Saunders Street in Raleigh. She remained a "Raleighite" for her entire life. She had two siblings: Connie Ruth, and Walter Larry, both preceding her in death. Though some were actual family, she had a special bond with Carol Lee, Becky Lee, Henry King, Myrlene Young, and JT Wilder. Some of her favorite people were Barbara and Boyce Lawrence, Hazel Tharrington, Bea and CJ Carter, Patti and Delbert Deberry, and Pastor Mel Walters.

She graduated from Needham Broughton High School and began her career as the Clerical Supervisor of Vital Records for the State of North Carolina. She retired from this position after 30 years.

Mary Sue and Smut married in 1958 and announced the birth of their first child, Beverly in 1959. In 1964, they moved to Parnell Street and gave birth to their second child, Tony. In 1972, they would move to Marsh Creek Road, where in 1974, Kris was born. They lived here for the rest of their lives.

In 1969, both Mary Sue and Smut received Christ as their personal savior and joined Neuse Baptist Church in Raleigh, where they remained faithful members until their deaths.

In 1987, Tony would marry Theresa Schweikert and in 1996, Beverly would marry Dennis Mecum. Mary Sue felt much love for her daughter-and son-in-law saying she felt blessed to have them in the family.

Mary Sue was loving, kind, talkative, opinionated and stubborn, but she was more so known for her love of the Lord, church, family, food, and warm weather. She was a homebody who never turned down a good Rook game if she thought you were a worthy opponent, or partner.

She was an amazing cook. She loved anything cooked with fat back, ham hocks, or fried. She may have been a city girl, but she was country at heart. She learned to cook from her mother, for which she had immense love and respect. She always spoke of her father as a loving and kind father, one who could be playful and funny.

Mary Sue had one love—her family. She thought it was amazing that her children were wonderful, intelligent, and beautiful.  She expressed deep sadness for the rest of the world not being able to claim the same. She had eight grandchildren- Shannon Arner (Gerry), David Collins (Kristen), Erin Mecum, Jansen Taylor, Jenna Taylor, Kylie Taylor, Taylor May and Rachel May.

In her later days, she spent every moment sharing happy memories, laughing, telling her children and grandchildren how much they were loved, and how proud she was of them. She was looking forward to seeing Smut, her parents, and the rest of her friends and family soon.  There's a big game of rook in heaven right now and she's directing it.

We love you Mama.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607