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Obituary for Ivory Noble Taliaferro, Sr.
As an update, please note that although the funeral for Deacon Ivory N. Taliaferro, Sr. is being announced as "Private - For the Family", members of the Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, Sanctuary Choir, and Male Chorus who wish to attend are invited/permitted to attend the funeral. In keeping with Covid-19 safety precautions, NO choral singing will take place. Social distancing will be observed in the seating (there are markings where worshippers may sit), as well as markings on the floor to be observed when standing. Additionally, temperatures will be taken upon entry. The ONLY entrance for ALL guests will be the Girard Avenue Ramp Door. Needless to say, face masks are required. Please feel free to reply if you have questions or concerns.
Billy
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13
Church Family,
This is the official announcement of funeral arrangements for Deacon Ivory N. Taliaferro, Sr., whose homegoing occurred this past Saturday, January 24, 2021. Deacon Taliaferro was well known to our active members, but not everyone knew his membership dated back over 65 years to August 30, 1964 when he joined as a young adult. Without interruption, he was faithful from then until now. Funeral services will be held at Vine Memorial on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Details are as follows:
Date of Service: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 Viewing: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Public Viewing Open to all (A Masonic service will take place prior to the funeral) Funeral: 11:00 a.m. Private Funeral for Family (Will be livestreamed on Facebook Live) Musicians: Zara Bradley and Lorraine A. Witts Music: Designated Soloists Interment: Friday, February 5, 2021, Hockley, Virginia
Changes to the attendance requirements may be announced later after further discussion of the Covid-19 protocols.
Deacon Taliaferro is survived by his daughter, Leslie, son, Ivory, Jr, grandchildren, and three sisters. Messages of sympathy may be forwarded to:
Mrs. Leslie C. Taliaferro 128 Forest Avenue Ambler, PA. 19002
Needless to say, let us keep them all in prayer as well as the families of those to whom we said goodnight last year. 2020 saw 20 of our faithful members move from earth to heaven.
Ivory Noble Taliaferro, son of the late John Richard, Sr. and Mozelle Taliaferro, was born on December 23, 1939 in Hockley, Virginia. He was the ninth of ten children, & was proud to be titled “Baby Boy”. He worked hard on the home farm and enjoyed fishing and swimming with his dad and brothers. He joined and was baptized at First Baptist Church of Hockley under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. W.A. Young. He participated in all auxiliaries that were available to him at church.
Ivory attended Hockley Snow Hill elementary school and in 1959, graduated from King & Queen Central High School. Ivory was extremely athletic with his basketball and baseball skills. He and his brother Ellis were part of the Central High School basketball team that was crowned state champions in 1957. His soothing tenor voice was essential as a member of the Glee Club, which placed 2nd in the state of Virginia 1958-59. He also expressed his love of music in the band.
He moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1959, with his sisters, Margaret and Estelle, and was exposed to a “New World”, as he tells it. He joined the Vine Memorial Baptist Church in 1962 and quickly became very active in the church community. He first joined the Young Adult Choir where he met the late Nora Delores Breedlove. On March 28, 1970, he and “Lil’ Sis” were united in marriage. Ivory and Nora had two children, Ivory Jr. and Leslie Christine. From the day Ivory joined Vine he was a dedicated and faithful servant. Throughout his tenure at Vine he also sang with the Oratory/Sanctuary Choir and looked forward to the annual Day of Music Celebration. There was a special spot in his heart for the Men’s Choir! There were many songs that he sang but a crowd favorite was when he sang, “Through It All”. Ivory became a member of the Deacon board and took his responsibilities in the role very seriously...particularly his job as a mentor to the youth of the church & giving communion to the sick & shut in. Ivory has served on a number of committees from Pastor & Church anniversaries to Men and Women’s Days. He did so with gladness.
When Ivory first came to Philadelphia, he worked in the textile industry. He later attended and graduated in 1969 from The Philadelphia Technical Institute and received his diploma in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. For the next 40+ years he worked as a certified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician until he retired. After retirement he worked as a Cafeteria/recess aide at Gladwyne Elementary School for the Lower Merion School District where he found another special community that he truly loved.
Ivory was passionate about being involved in the community. He was heavily involved in state and local politics. He served as a member of the Yeadon Borough Council for many years, some of which he was President. He and Nora were members of the Fair Housing Council of Delaware County, PA where they fought against housing discrimination. He had a special devotion to this Masonic family as well. He was a long-time member of John S. Watson Lodge #23, F& AM PHA where he was Worshipful Past Master & he was Companion of William Cooper #6 Holy Royal Arch Masons. Most recently he served on the board of the Steven Smith Tower housing community where he worked to make sure residents had clean, comfortable and affordable living options. Ivory’s motto was “Enjoy life!” and that he did! He took many trips around the U.S. and was able to travel abroad to Germany, Spain, France, Luxemburg, Panamá, the Caribbean and a highlight for him was Northern Africa (Morocco). He loved to fish any chance he could get, he loved to cook, eat, play cards with his siblings, bowl, dance and laugh...did he love to laugh. He loved his family and he loved the Lord.
He was preceded in death by his wife Nora Breedlove, father John Sr, mother Mozelle, brothers James Alfred, George Elliott, John II and Ellis Sr., sisters Lenora Smalls and Estelle Taliaferro. He leaves to cherish his life, two beloved children Ivory II (Barbara); Leslie (Michael), Sisters: Margaret Hoffman (John-predeceased), Gloria Lumford, Plunard LaVerne Robinson (Mason). Sisters-in-law - Mary Taliaferro, Maudestein Taliaferro, Amie Taliaferro, Charlotte Westfield & Denise Breedlove. Brother-in-law Leslie Breedlove. Grandchildren: Ivory III (Fabienne), Jeremy, Maya, Zekiel, Mason & Silas. Three great-grands and a host of nieces & nephews and friends from all walks of life. “Life is a song – sing it. Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it.” ~ unknown
