Obituary

“On a scale of 1 to 10…” – her favorite way to ask a question – Hilda Robbins Taylor was a 12.

Born on April 2, 1932, in Gloucester, Va., the longtime N. Chesterfield resident died Nov. 8, 2024, at her home. She was 92. She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Baxter Brooks

“B.B.” Taylor Jr.

A member of the 1949 Class of Botetourt High School, she worked at the Gloucester Gazette-Journal after graduation. She came up with the concept of the paper’s “Glimpses into the Past” column first published on Jan. 5, 1950. It remains one of the longest-running and most popular features in the weekly paper. She left journalism behind to attend Medical College of Virginia’s School of Nursing and was president of her senior class. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1953.

She devoted countless hours advocating for Virginia United Methodist Homes (now Pinnacle Living) and volunteering at The Hermitage Richmond for more than 50 years. She continued to work in the Hermitage Guild’s ‘Country Store’ thrift shop into her 80s – well past the age of many of the home’s residents. In 1999, she was honored by the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries as its national Volunteer of the Year. Though she was never

“ready” to move into The Hermitage herself, she loved the home, its staff, residents and fellow volunteers like family. It truly was her home away from home.

She was an active member of Beulah United Methodist Church for over 60 years, where she held many lay leadership roles and was active in the United Methodist Women’s Circle of Love and Crusaders Sunday School Class.

Her welcoming nature and sincere interest in everyone she met are small examples of her many spiritual gifts. Over the decades, she baked thousands of sour cream pound cakes for bake sales, birthdays, funerals, family celebrations and to have in her packed freezer “just in case.” Hilda never shied away from pointing out something amiss, whether it was at her church, her community or a national landmark. In the late 1960s when she noticed the crown on the Statue of Liberty replica in Richmond’s Chimborazo Park was damaged, she called the city. When it was fixed, the repair – and her part in it — was featured in Richmond newspapers. More recently, when she noticed on a visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon that its tablecloths needed to be ironed, she quickly penned a letter to the historic home’s caretakers – and received a prompt reply acknowledging the wrinkles with a promise to do better. That was Mom. When she saw a need, she tried to make it better.

She treasured her years as a banker’s wife, traveling with B.B. to banking conventions across the country. Closer to home, she not only raised four exceptional children, but she was also known as a second mom to many of their friends. It was no surprise when she was named Chesterfield and Colonial Heights Christmas Mother in 1988.

In addition to her husband, Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Fannie Mary (Corbell) and Joseph F. Robbins; siblings Jeannette R. Moody, Doris R. Sears and Steve Robbins, and her youngest son, John Calvin Taylor.

She is survived by son Baxter Brooks “Backy” Taylor III (Katie) of Manakin-Sabot, Va., daughters Catherine “Cathy” Taylor Turner (Sonny) of Chester, Va. and Susan Taylor Leathers (Larry) of St.

Louis, MO. She leaves grandchildren Brooks Taylor IV (Ashley); Lindsey Lankey (Trey), Lucas Taylor, Haley Roberts (Sam), Stefanie Turner, Tabitha Wade (Mike), Martin Leathers (Hannah), Thomas Leathers and Alex Yokum (Trevor) and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves sister-in-law Dorothy Taylor Weiman of Orlando, Fla., several cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

The family would like to thank Serenity First Hospice Care and wonderful nurse, Angie Ratekin, as well as the staff at Commonwealth Senior Living for their support. We also are so grateful to devoted friends Pat Whitaker and Gayle Crutchfield for their steadfast love and care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. at Beulah Church, 6930 Hopkins Road, N. Chesterfield, 23234, on Saturday, November 23. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Visitation will be held an hour before the service at the church.

Please, at Mom’s request, no gladiolas. Instead, memorial donations to the Hermitage Samaritan Program, c/o Hermitage Richmond Business Office, 1600 Westwood Ave., Richmond, VA 23227, or your favorite charity are appreciated.