Shirley Gilchrist Taylor was born to Preston A. and Lina Lee Gilchrist on September 29, 1945, in Halifax County, North Carolina. She transitioned from life on October 29, 2024, at Rex Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Junnie Taylor; parents, Preston A. and Lina Lee Gilchrist; and three brothers, LeRoy, Preston Lewis and Dalvert.

Shirley attended Johnston and Wake County Schools graduating from Fuquay Consolidated High School, and furthered her education by attending cosmetology school in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she became a beautician. Back in the day, she could really hard press and do some hair.

Shirley moved from North Carolina in the late 1960's and lived in Washington, DC, and New Jersey for several years. Upon her return to North Carolina, she worked several jobs until she came home and began caring for the neighborhood children. She was tough, but they loved her just the same.

Shirley loved the Lord and gave her life to Christ while she was in New Jersey under the leadership of Bishop Jesse McNeill. She later attended church at Macedonia Apostolic Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, under the leadership of Bishop Tommie Smith. She continued to serve the Lord at Mt. Zion Pentecostal Church in Shawtown, North Carolina, now known as Mt. Zion Christian Fellowship in Dunn, North Carolina, under the leadership of Dr. James Otis McNeill. Shirley was an ordained Mother at Mt. Zion UFC in 2023. She continued to come to church until the last month or so. Even when she was in severe pain, she wanted to be in church. Her favorite song was “I Owe God A Whole Lot of Praise”.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memories, four children, Sherwayne, Faith (Evette), Maurice, and Mitzie; four grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; three sisters, Lina Alford, Runell Gilchrist, and Glenda Gilchrist; two stepsons, Sherwood and William Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation: 12:30 - 1:00 pm on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Mt. Zion Christian Fellowship Church in Dunn, NC.

Funeral will be held 1:00 pm on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Mt. Zion Christian Fellowship Church, 707 Susan Tart Road in Dunn, NC 28335.

Burial: Mt. Zion Christian Fellowship Church Cemetery, Shawtown Road in Lillington, NC.