Mrs. Katie Doretha Taylor McLeod

Katie Doretha Taylor McLeod began the journey of life on July 7, 1928 in Columbia, South Carolina as the fifth child of six children born to the late Daniel and Carrie Bates Taylor. Orphaned at an early age, she and her siblings were cared for and raised by her grandmother, Channey Bates, her aunts, Susannah Williams and Elizabeth Ricks and other family members. She finished the course and departed this life for eternal life Sunday, January 5, 2014 at Providence Hospital in Columbia, SC. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert McLeod; her son, Robert D. McLeod; a grandson, Byron Kelsey McCoy and his father (her son-in-law), Willie McCoy, Jr.; and her five siblings, Mary E. James, Louise Shiver, Carolyn Scipio, Julius Taylor and James C. Taylor. A 1947 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, she began her professional career as a cosmetologist. While she continued as a cosmetologist, she held jobs as an employee of Colonial Stores, Capital City Manufacturers, and Westinghouse from where she retired in 1992 after seventeen years of service. She loved God, and His church. Her life of service began at an early age when she joined Brown Chapel AME where she attended all of her life. Over the years, she served in several capacities in the church including, secretary for the Senior Musical Choir, sang on the Senior/Sanctuary Musical Choir, served as a missionary, a member of the Steward Board, and as a member of the Trustee Board, a position that she maintained until her death. She was one of the founding members of the Frazier Thomas Culture Club which, for nearly 50 years, has sponsored an annual fundraiser to help the church with the purchase of items that were needed but were not a part of the church budget. Always an ardent supporter of her church and church projects, she never turned down an opportunity to help the church or to participate in church programs. She loved to see things grow, and in the spring, her yard was filled with hundreds of beautiful blossoms that garnered for her Arthurtown’s “Yard of the Month” honor on several occasions. Her vegetable gardens were grown for the express purpose of sharing with others. She was united in marriage to Robert McLeod on September 6, 1946, to this union, five children were born. Nothing brought her more joy than her family, and her home was the centerpiece of many joyous and fun-filled family gatherings. Her humor, her hugs, her love, and her many life lessons taught family members to love, to support and forgive one another. These qualities endeared her to her family and her friends. She made certain that her children grew up in the church learning always to love and to serve God. Her opened doors invited friends from all walks of life who came to share their triumphs, their tragedies, and just the company of their friend, Katie. She knew and practiced the redemptive power of love and forgiveness which made her the perfect family matriarch, a great parent, and friend to be valued, loved, and appreciated. For her, worship, kinship, and friendship were the anchors on the sea of life. Left to forever keep and cherish her memory are: four loving daughters, Carolyn (Tommie) Whetstone, Barbara McCoy, Channey (Frederick) Dinkins, and S. Gwen McLeod, all of Columbia, SC; two “Special Sisters,” Vivian Ricks and Lillian Keith of Columbia, SC; one daughter-in-law, Virginia McLeod; sister-in-law, Nell McCloud; one step daughter, Glenell (Isacc) Nathan of Gadsden, SC; ten grandchildren, Tina (Dean) McDaniel, Tommie and Errin (Andrea) Whetstone, Brandon McCoy, Krista (Dewayne) Murphy, Whitney (Kenyatta) McLeod, Vincent (Allegra Thorton) Dinkins, Quincy McLeod, Ryan McLeod and Taylor McLeod Gleaton; 23 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; a special cousin, Mary S. Tourse; and a host of nieces; nephews; cousins, friends and church family who loved, honored, and will miss her dearly. Services will be held 12 noon Friday, January 10, 2014 at Brown Chapel AME Church, with interment to follow. The family will receive friends 6-8:00 PM Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Palmer Memorial Chapel. The family request that condolences and memorials be made on their web page at www.palmermeorialchapel.com

Mrs. Katie Doretha Taylor McLeod

July 7, 1928 - January 5, 2014