Rita Vannoy Taylor

Mrs. Rita Vannoy Taylor, 62, of Winston-Salem, passed away quietly Friday, October 5, 2012 at Forsyth Medical Center with her husband Dennis by her side. Rita was born in Ashe County August 23, 1950 to Fred and Maude Cole Vannoy. She left Ashe County when she was 12 years old and lived in Winston-Salem until her passing. During her fight she was an inspiration to everyone by the dignity and grace with which she dealt with it. She was a teacher in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, teaching at Konnoak Elementary and Sedge Garden Elementary Schools and loved every minute of the time she spent with the children. A favorite project for Rita was the Pen Pal project with retired folks writing to the 5th graders at Speas Elementary School. Rita graduated from Parkland High School, attended Wingate Jr. College, East Tennessee State University, graduated from UNC Greensboro, and received a Masters Degree from Gardner Webb. She was Teacher of the Year at Sedge Garden Elementary. Her volunteer work included Cancer Center and Sunnyside Ministries. From the mountains to the coast, Ashe County was her birthplace but Ocean Isle Beach was her love. The ocean spoke volumes to Rita and brought her much happiness. The only things Rita took with her were the things she had already given away to others, love, time and kindness. She was a cup constantly and quietly being filled. She knew how to tip herself over and let the beautiful stuff out. She was as beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Beauty is a reflection of all life's moments- joy, sorrow and love. It begins inside long before it shows itself on the surface. God gave us memory so we can have roses in December. Therefore, Rita gave us wonderful memories to last us a lifetime. The best memories are made with other people and cost very little. We are sad that Rita leaves a vacuum in our family that cannot be filled, but are glad that the earth she laughed and lived on was our earth too. Rita was preceded in death by her father, Fred Vannoy, but her 97 year old mother survives her. Surviving are her husband, Dennis Taylor of Winston-Salem; daughter, Heather Busher (Sean); granddaughter, Mirabelle Busher of Charlotte; sisters, JoAnne Goetz (Milt), Peggy Hawkins (Paul) of Winston-Salem; brother, Sonny Vannoy (Joy) of Glendale Springs; Dennis' brothers and their wives, Joe Taylor (Bonnie) of Winston-Salem, Fred Taylor (Diane) of Atlanta, Jerry Taylor (Cheryl) of Clemmons and Tim Taylor (Denise) of Winston-Salem and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 8 at New Philadelphia Moravian Church with the Rev. Dr. Worth Green and the Rev. John G. Rights officiating. Burial will follow in the church graveyard. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Winston-Salem Retired School Personnel Scholarship Fund, 3550 Stimpson Dr., Pfafftown, NC 27040 or to Cancer Services Inc., 3175 Maplewood Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to Sunnyside Ministries, 319 Haled St., Winston-Salem, NC 27103. The family would like to thank Dr. Nick Chrysson and staff at Derrik Davis Cancer Center for their love and caring support for Rita during her five year journey. Thank you to the nurses on the 9th Floor 9 West at Forsyth Medical Center and to her sister-in-law, Cheryl Taylor for her help to Rita for helping with household chores when she could no longer do those.

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