Wilma Lee (Taylor) Mayes

December 16, 2021, came and went, taking with it an incredibly special person. Wilma Lee Mayes went home to be with the Lord. The Bible says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28 

Wilma Lee Taylor was born on July 11, 1930, to Perry Taylor Sr. and Teleslie Crockrell Taylor. She was born the first of eleven children.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very young age as a member of Pleasant Zion African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Elgin, TX.

Wilma Lee Taylor was united in marriage to Beverly James (BJ) Mayes on September 4, 1948 and to this union one child was born (Beverly J. Mayes-Anderson).

Later, Wilma joined her husband at Paul Quinn A.M.E. Church. Because of her love of God, no matter what was required she gave her all.

During the couple’s time at Paul Quinn, they were very involved in every area of the church. This included but wasn’t limited to the planning and support of the renovation of the church, giving financially, assistance with growing the building fund, and using her God given talent of gardening and laboring the grounds to beautify the building.

She also served faithfully in many positions including the Women’s Missionary Society and Lay Organization to President of Stewardess’, Trustee Committee, Pastor’s Aide, Finance Committee, and Choir member. Her joy was being a part of the devotional service at the beginning of worship up until her health prevented her from attending church services. Wilma was diligent in listening to the Word and never missing an opportunity to praise and worship God.

As newlyweds, Wilma and BJ resided in Austin, TX for a short period. During her time in Austin, Wilma worked at Brackenridge Hospital in healthcare, where she later studied to become a nursing student. After moving back to Bastrop, Wilma worked for CB Maynard and his wife for many years, and they encouraged her to further her education. After doing so, Wilma went to work for the Bastrop school system and retired after ten years. While working for the Bastrop schools she touched the lives of many that still remember her kindness to this day. After retirement from the school system, she and her husband BJ Mayes owned and operated two Texaco service stations in Bastrop.

The reward given to her by Our Father was more than fourscore here on earth, allowing her to touch many more live. She later started working for Wal-Mart which resulted in 20 years of service before retiring for the 3rd time.

As the first born, Wilma knew early in life that she was going to be mama’s little helper. She learned to cook at the age of five and inherited her cooking skills from her mother and was able to cook almost anything. Some of our favorites were chicken and dressing, chocolate cake with caramel icing, chicken and dumplings, and was famous for her seasoned hot dogs and sauerkraut. But anyone who stayed over at her house, knew that eggs over easy at 2:00am was the best! She enjoyed cooking until the blessed age of 90, at that time she turned the reigns over to her daughter. All she had to do was sit back and critique.

The beauty she possessed was inside and out, and it showed in her love for planting flowers and landscaping to a degree that only she could do. But most importantly, was the yelling in the stands supporting all her babies at their sporting events. Tennis, band, football, basketball, volleyball, and cheerleading, it didn’t matter she was there.

Her daughter Beverly was her pride and joy. Beverly wasn’t alone in her endeavor. Perrie Lee came to help with her sister every day. Her niece/Goddaughter, Renita would allow Beverly some time out of the house. Let’s not forget the granddaughters “her babies” Erica and Raven, did their part as well. Lastly, Wilma’s son-in-law Eric. When no one else was there, Eric was. He loved her. She would always say, “there is no one like my son-in-law”.

Having been blessed with a long productive life, Wilma was called to her heavenly home on December 16th. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, BJ Mayes; both parents, Perry and Teleslie Taylor, brothers: Bryson Taylor, Charlie Woodrow Taylor, Jimmy Lee Taylor, Aaron Taylor, and sisters: Vera Edna Hyder,

Hosie Esther Hickman, Teleslie Taylor Jr. (Toppie).

She leaves to cherish her loving memory one daughter: Beverly Mayes-Anderson, son-in-law Eric Anderson; two granddaughters; Erica McCarver (Alton) and Raven Anderson, three sisters; Perrie Lee Hodge, Rosemary Lester and Beverly “Pat” McDonald (Chester) and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wilma Lee (Taylor) Mayes, please visit our floral store.