Evelyn Winifred Mills Taylor was born in  Evergreen, MS to Early Freeman Mills and Agnes Bethany Williams  Mills on October 3, 1925. Winifred was the youngest of 11 children. She  inherited a green thumb and grew up learning how to raise cotton,  livestock, and produce on her parents' farm during the Great  Depression. Winifred attended church regularly and came to faith at an  early age. During World War II, she contributed to the war effort by  sewing zippers on soldiers' pants in a factory located in Amory, MS.

About this time Winifred met her husband-to-be, Lewis  Franklin Taylor of Smithville, MS, on a double date to the movies. After a brief courtship, Lewis and Winifred married on April 29, 1944. They sharecropped in Mississippi for a short time then moved to Memphis,  TN where they had a home built and raised two daughters, Linda Sue  and Patricia Gail.

In the early 1950's, Winifred became a founding member of  Charjean Baptist Church where the whole family attended. She also  worked at Charjean Elementary as a cafeteria cashier for a couple of  years. However, her main role was homemaker as Lewis built a career  as a mechanic before being promoted to machinist at Standard Parts  where he worked for many years. He passed away from complications of lupus at the age of 57 shortly before their 38 th wedding anniversary. In the following years, Winifred went on to work for the election  commission seasonally for over a decade and as a gardener for several  years, selling greens, turnips, and kale.

Winifred became more involved in the church and remained  very active there until its closure in 2015. She was a faithful soprano in  the Charjean choir for many years and filled in for the main pianist  whenever needed. She had a silly sense of humor and loved to laugh,  but she also had a feisty side. She loved conversation and could talk  anyone's ear off. She cherished time with her family for whom she joyfully cooked on many occasions. On June 12, 2015, Winifred lost her eldest daughter, Linda, after a long, courageous war with cancer.  Winifred then spent her final years as a homebody, but would  occasionally venture out to spend holidays with her family.

Winifred loved animals, especially cats, dogs, and butterflies.  She loved flowers and always had some in her yard. She spoke fondly of  her childhood on the farm, but enjoyed the conveniences of city living.  She loved music, especially traditional gospel. She also loved to eat,  particularly country style foods. Some of her other pastimes included  sewing and knitting.

Winifred loved animals, especially cats, dogs, and butterflies.  She loved flowers and always had some in her yard. She spoke fondly of  her childhood on the farm, but enjoyed the conveniences of city living.  She loved music, especially traditional gospel. She also loved to eat,  particularly country style foods. Some of her other pastimes included  sewing and knitting.

After battling dementia for over a year, Winifred went home to  be with the Lord on June 21, 2021 at her home in Memphis, TN. She is  preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, and daughter,  Linda Crosthwait. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter,  Patricia Huggins, grandchildren, Kenneth Crosthwait, Jr. (Marlene),  Jennifer Mullins, Wade Huggins (Merry), Janet Spencer, Paul Huggins  (Yeosaine), and Laura Huggins, greatgrandchildren, Todd Connolly,  Jason Jobst (Charity), Lindsay Bartholomew (James Peter), Olivia  Spencer, William Mullins, Alexandria Huggins, Jackson Mullins, John  Huggins, Madeline Spencer, and Henry Huggins, and 9 great  greatgrandchildren, Shiloh, Brittany, Alex, Suzanna, Brynn, Justice,  Mason, Maxwell, and Coben along with a host of other relatives and  friends.