Mrs. Alma Rawlings Taylor of 18258 Sandy Hill Road, Courtland, Va., passed away on Saturday April 26, 2014 at Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, Virginia.

Alma was born in Southampton, Va. to the late Richard Rawlings and Armenia Rawlings. She was educated in the Southampton County Public School System.

Mrs. Rawlings was a member of Union Hill United Church of Christ. She was retired from Steven Kent Hotel as a Laundry Room Supervisor.

She was a pillar in the community and mother to all of Sandy Hill Acres. “Mrs. Alma”, was petite, but feisty, and she would tell you like it was without biting her tongue.

Mrs. Rawlings was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Taylor; parents,Richard and Armenia Rawlings; son, Barry Taylor; daughter, Marria Reeves; brothers, Colonius and Ennis Rawlings; sisters, Richetta Rawlings and Mable Doles.

Remembering her life and love are, her sons, Robert Taylor, Milton Taylor, Sr., and Richard Taylor all of Richmond, Va.,and Lloyd Taylor of Courtland, Va.; daughters, Elizabeth Rawlings of Newport News, Va.; and Valerie Taylor of Richmond, Va.; goddaughter, Tabitha Sandford; grandchildren, Shane, Milton Jr., Fadian, Julian, Brandy, De’Marqus,and Essence; god -granddaughter, Tyshanda; twelve great –grandchildren, and two great- great grandchildren; brothers, Thomas Rawlings(Lucy) and IIanders Rawlings both of Suffolk, Va.; and Martin Rawlings of Hampton, Va.; sisters, Linia Griffin of Spring Grove, Va.; and Claris Warren of Sedley, Va.; devoted neighbors –friends, Betty Parham, Thelma Brown, Debora Dittinger and Ruby Spillman; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Alma Rawlings Taylor will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, May 2, 2014 at Union Hill United Church of Christ, 16192 Union Hill Rd., Sedley, Va. 23878, with the Rev. Roy Stokes, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Remains will lie in state at 11:45a.m., at the church until the hour of service.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 9a.m. to 8p.m. at the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the residence, 18258 Sandy Hill Rd. Courtland, Va., and is asking that relatives and friends assemble at the residence on the day of services at 11:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com .

Professional funeral services entrusted to the staff of J. L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment 25824 Greensville Ave. Petersburg, Va. (North Dinwiddie County) Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., funeral director (804)732-5959 and (804)834-3330.