Zenobia Helen Miller Taylor , a Hampton, Virginia resident for more than 70 years, entered eternal rest on Sunday, June 4, 2023.  Zenobia was born on June 27, 1927, in Fort Valley, Georgia to the late James Isaac Miller, Jr and Hattie Hammock Miller. Zenobia attended elementary school in Fort Valley, Georgia, graduated from Henry A. Hunt High School and then went to Hampton Institute (now Hampton University). There she met and eventually married Wilford Taylor in September of 1948.  Zenobia graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She stayed at home to raise her four children until her youngest daughter, Michelle, started kindergarten.  Zenobia then worked as a teacher's aide and early childhood teacher in various elementary schools throughout Hampton, VA as well as at the Laboratory School on Hampton Institute's campus.  Zenobia was a dedicated member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church of Newport News, Virginia. She was an active member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated for more than 41 years.  Zenobia was also active in the National Association of Letter Carriers Auxiliary, and formerly a member of the American Association of University Women.

A "people person", known for her kind and warm spirit, Zenobia was adored and loved by many.  She treated everyone with kindness and respect.  Zenobia never hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She somehow always knew how to encourage and uplift someone's spirit by saying just the right thing.  Specifically, Zenobia encouraged others to be positive and optimistic, even during challenging times. With Zenobia, the glass was half-full, instead of half-empty.  She exhibited a calm strength, unafraid of giving constructive advice and gave it without saying a discouraging word to or about anyone.  Quite simply, Zenobia accentuated the positive, ignored the negative and didn't mess with anything in-between.  Zenobia especially loved her family, her church family, her neighbors, and her dear friends.

Zenobia was predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, Wilford Taylor, Sr.; her son, Dr. James Wesley Taylor, Sr.; her sister, Nellie Hocutt; and her two brothers, Al Rogers Miller and Edison Miller.  Zenobia is survived by her son, Judge Wilford Taylor, Jr. (Ret.) (Linda); her two daughters, Jill Taylor Pope (Donnie) and former Councilwoman Michelle Taylor Ferebee (Melvin); her former daughter-in-law, Donita Reese; six grandchildren: Patrice Danielle Taylor (Rodney Shelton), Derek Holmes Taylor, Melvin James Ferebee III, Esq., (Jasmine Silver, DC), Michael Peter Ferebee, MD (Annam Abbasi, MD), James Wesley Taylor, Jr. (Katie), and Taylor Helen Ferebee; and ten great-grandchildren: Melthias, Maiélène, Carter, Jhaviel, Christian, Jiesevi, Maesar, Aaliyah, James Wesley III, and Chandler.

The viewing will be on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at Cooke Brothers Funeral Chapel, 1601 27th Street, Newport News, Virginia 23607.  The family will receive visitors from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated's Ivy Beyond the Wall Memorial Service, at same Cooke Brothers Funeral Chapel.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:45 AM on Friday, June 16, 2023, at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, 230 33rd Street, Newport News, Virginia 23607.  The Funeral Mass will be streamed via Facebook live (on the Saint Vincent De Paul Catholic Church (Newport News) page). Interment will immediately follow the Funeral Mass at Hampton Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Farm Rd., Hampton, VA 23666.  The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider donating to the Social Action Ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Church or their favorite charity, in Zenobia's name.