Dr. Wanda Taylor

Dr. Wanda Taylor of Phoenix, Arizona passed away January 3, 2022. Dr. Wanda Taylor was born fourth of seven children to Roy and Allene Taylor (deceased); brother, Roy Sylvester Taylor (deceased), Marlen Eugene Taylor (deceased), Elwood Taylor (deceased), sister, Anna Jones (deceased); and Norma Jean Jefferson. Dr. Wanda Taylor Immediate Family: Husbands: Edward Black (deceased) and Braxton Tyrone Henderson; children and grandchildren: Son, Edward (Eddie) Black Jr. with wife, Nita Black; and grandchildren Rylan Black and his wife Riley Black and Channing Black. Daughter, Sheryl Denise Lawary and Granddaughter, Celeste Lawary; and son, Andre Tyrone Black (deceased); Sandra Rollins and her daughters Leslie Rollins, Toni Riley, Sharmaine Riley, and Shanice Riley; and Shanice’s children Nevaeh (Dr. Wanda’s God daughter), Debrea Colter, and Zaniyah Riley. Other Immediate Family: Brother Sylvester and Barbara (both deceased) and their children: Champ Taylor and Denise Taylor Handy and their children. Sister Anna (deceased) and her children and grandchildren; and Sister Norma and her children and grandchildren. Aunts and Uncles: Earline Walker (deceased); Aunt Marie Griggs (deceased) and her children; Aunt Willetta Womack and her children; and Uncle Elwood Cox (deceased) and his children. Dr. Wanda Taylor was born April 30, 1946, in Mounds, Illinois. When her mother Allene passed away when she was five years old, she moved to E. St. Louis, Illinois, where she lived the next five years of life with her Aunt Marie and until she was 18, she lived with her Auntie Earline. She was married to Edward Black (her high school sweetheart) and they raised their three children, Eddie, Sheryl and Andre while most in the military – Edward Black was in the US Navy for 18 years. After raising her children, Dr. Wanda Taylor went to college and earned all of her degrees at the University of Phoenix, landing with a Doctorate of Management (In Organizational Leadership) Degree. She received this degree because of her passion to give back to her community, which she completed her life’s journey giving back to Arizona Communities, assisting clients with numerous support: College Tutoring, disability claims, DES claims, unemployment claims, employment applications and resume’s cover letters, job search and job interviews; she also taught self-esteem, job readiness, and college readiness workshops through partnerships with numerous other non-profit organizations. Her goal was to transform ordinary people into leaders of Arizona communities. Dr. Wanda’s giving back to the community was done through her businesses Mentoring All Americans For Leadership Inc. and Mentoring For Leadership LLC. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Dr. Wanda’s birthday, April 30, 2022, at Ed and Nita's home: 36609 N. 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85086.