Evereda M. Taylor

“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NLT) On the early morning of January 10, 2025 the Lord called Evereda McDowney Taylor to her new heavenly home. Evereda Taylor was born in King George, VA on September 8, 1932 to the late Ernest and Emma McDowney. She was the sixth of twelve children – Lillian, Viola, Andrew, Henry, Webster, Willette, Leona, Ray, Tameenah, Alexander and Emma. Evereda’s first name was actually Pinkie Evereda McDowney named after her godmother, Pinkie Iler. Evereda grew up on a working farm that her father owned called Kings Mill. And while her mom made many homemade meals on a wood fired stove, young Evereda often liked reading books and dreaming of life in the big city. At the age of 11yrs old, Evereda got that chance to leave Virginia to go and live with her Aunt Iola and Uncle Walter Johnson, in Washington, D.C. They owned a liquid store off of Florida Ave. N.W. Evereda would attend District of Columbia Public Schools and graduate from Dunbar Senior High School. She would continue her education by going to Miner Teachers College, which later became DC Teachers College. Evereda earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education. It was in college where Evereda met her best friend Dorothy Douglas. Dorothy and her husband Bobby Douglas introduced Evereda to her now late husband, Gerald Harold Taylor. Gerald had served in the military, and later became a technician when they met. They fell in love and were married. From their union they had two children, Brian Harold Taylor and Bruce Hugh Taylor. Evereda was very serious about education and made it a priority for her children to have the best education through the Catholic School System. On November 24, 1985, Evereda joined by experience of grace to Zion Baptist Church as a dedicated member and participated in the Good Samaritan Club. She made sure that her children received spiritual guidance and support at Zion Baptist Church where they would learn a true sense of community, spirit of service, and discipline to God’s doctrine, the Word. Evereda taught in the District of Columbia Public School System for most of her teaching career. Although she taught many grades, Evereda’s calling would be educating students in 1st grade. She committed most of her teaching years at Lucy Diggs Slowe Elementary School which was constructed during the fight for educational equality and today stands as a symbol of civil rights activism. It was there that she had developed a plan to raise children to be their best by creating different skill groups to increase learning and by teaching a competency based curriculum. Evereda realized early in her teaching endeavors that every child was special and there was “ no one size fits all” approach to teaching. She had a way of seeing her students' potential and pushing them to achieve their greatness. She retired after teaching and serving the students of the District of Columbia for 30 years on February 11, 1988. Evereda was a very nurturing and supportive person, dedicated to helping those around her to realize their greatness. She put the needs of others before her own, investing both her time and resources to make sure her loved ones were cared for. She loved to talk and spend time with you as she always gave excellent advice. During her personal time, she enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, collecting antique tea pots, and mentoring her nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and family members as a beautiful way to pass on her knowledge, guidance, and creating lasting bonds. She had a positive and profound impact on the many lives she has touched. Her witty spirit, joyful laugh, and lively conversations will live on forever in our memories of her. She was a remarkable person with a very big heart. The way she poured herself into her family and friends speaks volumes about the depth of her character and those memories will undoubtedly live on. Evereda McDowney Taylor is survived by: her two sons Brian H. (wife Wanda); Bruce H. (fiancé Jenise); four grandchildren Oliva, Amber, Aerin and Joshua; two sisters Tameenah M. Dubose (Joe) and Nancy Johnson; two brothers Webster McDowney and Alexander McDowney (Darnell); one sister-in-law Jean Gurley, and many nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, former students and loving extended family members. Evereda’s many accomplishments and contributions are: ● Visionary and participant of the McDowney Family Unity Association. ● Numerous awards from DC Public School for High Professional Commitment to Students, Perfect attendance, and Completion of educational trainings for Teaching Competency Based Curriculum ● Received graduate credits for Elementary Education ● Appreciation awards for 30+ years of teaching service in the public school system ● Member of the DCREA – District of Columbia Retired Educators Association, Inc and DCPS Teachers Union ● Served as coordinator with District of Columbia PTA Cultural Arts Committee “A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” By Author & Poet - Maya Angelou

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Evereda M. Taylor

September 8, 1932 - January 10, 2025