W.T. Shumake & Daughters

Betty Patterson Taylor, 90, of Louisville transitioned on January 1, 2024 surrounded by family.

Visitation 11-1 Saturday January 6, 2024 at Walters Clement AME Zion Church 4641 E. Indian Trail. Funeral to follow at 1pm. Burial Petersburg-Newburg Cemetery



A Victorious Celebration of Life

Betty P. Taylor

Betty P. Taylor began her life as the twelfth child of thirteen born to Marie and Eugene Patterson. The family originally lived in Fisherville Ky then migrated to Berrytown-Griffithtown in Jeffersontown Ky then settled in New Addition of Newburg Ky. The family lived on Marvin Avenue in Newburg. As they became adults they purchased land lived next door to one another. They amassed at least a block of that land at the very end of the road. They called it “Down Home”. They got food by gardening (sweet potatoes being the vegetable of choice), raising farm animals and picking berries (favorite being black berries!!).

Betty and her siblings received their Christian training in the Forrest Tabernacle Baptist Church on Shelton Avenue were Marie, her mother, was a Sunday School teacher. Betty accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. As an adult, she attended and served faithfully at the Walters-Clement AME Zion Church for approximately 30 years. She served there as the first female Preachers’ Steward, an Usher, Chairwomen of various boards and sang in the Senior choir. As a dutiful wife Betty decided to attend N Street Baptist when her husband, Mr. William J. Taylor, became a deacon there. Upon the death of her husband Betty began to faithfully serve at the Full Gospel Neighborhood Church which was organized by Rev. C.A. Sweeney and Rosetta Sweeney (her niece). The Full Gospel Church later became Newburg Evangel where she attended church until her health began to fail.

Betty and her siblings attended Newburg Elementary and Junior High School. Betty attended Central High School until the 10th grade. She attended Jefferson County Adult Ed classes for Upholstery and was quite accomplished.

There were enough children in the family that Betty and her siblings entertained themselves in many ways. They were what is called a “closed family”. They played softball, roller skated, pitched horse shoes, played various card games, liked horse races and did these things “together”.

As a Roller Skater at the Buechel Armory on Progress Boulevard (guess who turned out to be a hit as a skater---that’s right Betty Patterson!)

As a softball player Betty Patterson was a Big Hitter and a left fielder. She could be counted on to deliver a Home run her turn at bat and catch everything that came her way. She joined the Newburg Girl’s softball team as a teenager. The story goes that one time she was placed on punishment by her parents during a crunch tournament and the Softball Coach, ‘Daddy Joe’ Goodwin, came to the house and begged them to let Betty play.



Betty was employed as a cashier at the Key Market Stores, a school guard for the Jefferson County Police Department and a cafeteria worker in the Jefferson County Public Schools. Her greatest work was assisting in raising her children and her grandchildren. All of whom are successful in their field by her support and encouragement,



Betty loved to interact with her children and grandchildren. She was the “T-Ball” coach for her youngest daughter (Reeci’) team. She competitively played spades & pitched horseshoes. She watched and enjoyed pro basketball (Shaquille O’Neil being her favorite player), having family picnics and parties, and reminiscing about her youthful days with her family. Betty and June (oldest son) were reigning Spades Champs at family gatherings until a few years ago.



Watching games shows was also a favorite pastime of hers such shows as: Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, Let’s Make a Deal being her recent favorites. As a young woman she actually liked game shows so much that she named one of her younger sons after a Game show host (Garry Moore Simpson of “I’ve Got a Secret” & “To Tell the Truth).

As music and musicians go we would have to acknowledge that her favorite musician is Mr. Brandon Smith.

Betty Patterson Taylor is loved and will be remembered & missed by all those who came to know and love her.

Betty P. Taylor leaves to mourn her passing: Virginia Patterson Goodwin (sister), Findy Ann Samuels, Robert Simpson, Jr., Melvin Lewis Simpson (Janet “J.J.”), Elder Garry Moore Simpson (Pamela), William James Taylor, Jr. (Tinesha), Valerie Patrice Hunt (H. Dale), Betty C. Taylor, her 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grand children, 1 great-great grandchild, Rosetta Sweeney (special niece), a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and associates.

We’ll always Love her!!

The Family



Written by Findy A. Samuels