Ronda Taylor

Ronda was born in Nashville, TN in 1939, the only child of Robert Erle Read and Sarah Margaret Williams Read Glasgow. Growing up, she lived across from the Centennial Park playground and she enjoyed playing in the park, especially croquet. When she was 10 years old, she moved to Sylvan Park. She attended Cohn High School, until at an early age, she married Billy Taylor on January 10, 1954. On December 27, 1954, she had a beautiful baby boy named William Taylor Jr. (Bill). She returned to school, attending Watkins Institute, acquiring most of her credits. Still lacking some credits, she was the married student to be allowed to public schools after quitting 4 years earlier, and she graduated from Cohn High School in 1959 at the age of 20.

In 1962 a precious baby boy, Tyrone Taylor, was born. In 1970, she completed her LPN training at Vanderbilt Hospital and in 1975, she graduated from the University of Tennessee with her RN degree. She worked at all the major hospitals, Vanderbilt, Veterans, and St. Thomas. She enjoyed working at the Parthenon Pavilion with the geriatric patients on the psychiatric unit the most.

She was good at dealing with all kinds of people and valued and respected each person for themselves, whether they were rich, poor, or mentally ill. For 3 years she was the relief nurse for the state legislature at the Capitol.

Ronda worked in real estate for 25 years and was proudest of selling the historical home, the Drouillard house in Dickson county. She also sold the development land for Stone Meade and Poplar Ridge subdivisions.

Ronda was cheerful, fun-filled, and was interested in everything. She enjoyed the simple things, like walking in Centennial Park. One of her favorite things was sitting in the South Harpeth River in a lounge chair relaxing with her friends. She loved country western dancing and made many friends at the dances. It was a pleasure for her to play canasta with her friends in the South Harpeth Community. She was a historian and collected books on Nashville and Tennessee.

She had many trials and adversaries in life, but she always kept a positive attitude. Life with Ronda was an adventure and she was able to laugh about the things that happened to her. Her motto was “If I can live through this, things will change” and she believed in Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.”

Being an only child, her friends were very, very important to her. She loved people. Her bravery, compassion, and faith in God sustained her throughout her life.

She is survived by her two sons, Billy Taylor and wife Susan, Tyrone Taylor and wife Christy; 3 grandchildren, Alec, Brooks, and Rachel; and 1 great-grandchild, Noah. She is also survived by adopted with love son, Jay Loftis and wife Vickie, their children, Deanna, Marie, and DJ.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Parkinsons Foundation.