Gloucester native Hilda Robbins Taylor, 92, died on Nov. 8, 2024 at her home in Richmond, Va. She was born on April 2, 1932, and 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-Mathews 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 the paper to attend Medical College of Virginia’s School of Nursing and graduated as a registered nurse in 1953.
An active member of Beulah United Methodist Church for over 60 years, she held many lay leadership roles and was active in the UMW.
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.”
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” Turner (Sonny) of Chester, Va., and Susan Leathers (Larry) of St. Louis, Mo. She leaves nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves sister-in-law, Dorothy T. Weiman of Orlando, Fla., several cousins including Christella R. Arehart and Kathryn R. Loveland of Gloucester County, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends, including the “Botetourt Belles” who enjoyed reuniting over the years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Beulah Church, 6930 Hopkins Road, N. Chesterfield, Va. 23234 at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 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.
