Willa Taylor

Willa Ruth Juniel-Taylor, affectionately called "Sweets" by her beloved husband of 50 years, was born on November 23, 1945, to parents Willie and Exie Juniel. Willa was the fifth of seven children. She had two brothers, John Marvin and Chester Steven; and four sisters, Rosie Lee, Barbara, Bettye, and Sharon. Willa was raised at 2852 Welton St. in Denver, Colorado this family home proved to be a significant staple in the Juniel family for many generations nestled in the historic Five Points district. As a child, her siblings recall Willa always being hands on and ready to assist at home; even when met with opposition by her siblings, she always remained calm and never lost her composure. After proudly attending Gilpin Elementary, Cole Junior High, and Manual High Schools in the Denver Public School District, Willa graduated in 1963. During that time, Willa participated in choir, PEP Club, and was a Thespian. In addition, she was a spirited Thunderbolt! Immediately after graduating she attended Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction, Colorado for one year. Home sick and too far away from home, without delay Willa transferred to Parks School of Business in Denver, CO. While at Parks she received a licensed certification in Shorthand IV and Administrative Secretary II. This license assisted Willa in excelling at the Denver District Attorney's office for 5 years as well as the 30 plus years she spent working for Denver Public Schools. Whereby she worked as a secretary at various schools, which included 10 years working at Gilliam Youth Services Center where she earned respect and admiration from the youth and the staff, and will be remembered for the meek and mild manner she displayed. A "Woman of Faith", Willa accepted the Lord as her Personal Savior at a very early age and was baptized at the age of 12 at Bethel Church of Christ Holiness under the pastoral leadership of Bishop C. E. Caldwell. She was dedicated and very active in Sunday School, Holy Young Peoples Union, Choir, and regularly enjoyed recitingspeeches and leading devotion. She was a faithful member of Bethel until she moved to Word of Life Christian Center in 1969. Willa loved to serve and immensely enjoyed her time as a devoted Usher since the age of 9, where she held various state and national usher offices. Passionate about serving God, Willa was known to go to more than one church in a day with her sister, Bettye Emerson. Willa would be seen rejoicing and praising God wherever she was. This woman of God went the distance even following the admonition of Deuteronomy 22:5, and 1 Timothy 2:9-10; she never wore pants, make-up, or jewelry (with the exception of her wedding ring). After a romantic three year courtship full of long distance letter writing, Willa was blessed to marry the love of her life, LeRoy Taylor, on June 11, 1966, at the historical Shorter A. M. E. Church. Willa adored and cherished him as her husband. Although, there were no children born to their union, Willa and LeRoy enjoyed being surrounded by and doing for their many nieces and nephews as well as family and friends. A woman from humble beginnings, she knew how to rejoice in what she had and what was given in spite of what it may have looked like. The Juniel children were raised with strong family values and traditions. In particular, her siblings fondly remember the family tradition of early morning Christmas breakfast. Waking up to the smell of homemade biscuits, fresh fried apple turnovers, as well as the aroma of ham and fried chicken, Christmas day in the Juniel family was guaranteed to be filled with love, laughter and good times complete with extended family. This tradition that began as children, continues on today. On many occasions she can be remembered by her siblings as excited to get back home to prepare for them what she had learned to make in home economics that day. A regular dinner item was Spanish rice, which, her siblings affectionately admit they are no longer able to eat. Family was truly one of Willa's greatest joys, which was reflected in the abundant amount of time she spent with her brothers, sisters, and their families. Willa was a phenomenal woman and an example to many. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this one of a kind woman. Willa is preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Exie Juniel; siblings, John Marvin Juniel, Rosie Lee Belin, and Bettye Emerson. Willa Taylor departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on August 10, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her husband, LeRoy Taylor; two sisters, Barbara Upshaw and Sharon Juniel-Davis; one brother, Chester Steven Juniel; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 8/19/2016 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 8/20/2016 at 10:30 AM - Word of Life Christian Center - 8700 Park Meadows Drive Lone Tree, CO
Cemetery: 8/22/2016 at 11:00 AM - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 8/20/2016 - Following the Service Word of Life Christian Center - 8700 Park Meadows Drive Lone Tree, CO