Sylvia Ann Taylor, beloved mother, wife and a friend to many, passed away peacefully at 3 a.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the age of 78, after a three-month battle from a stroke.

Sylvia was born in Lexington, Virginia on June 9, 1946, to her late parents, Jesse and Ruby Cauley. At that time, the small hospital in Lexington was the only home ever owned by the great Civil War general, Stonewall Jackson. Eventually her family settled in Brunswick, Maryland. The family by then included a son, William.

She attended and graduated from Towson State College in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts. She later earned a master’s in education from a program at Hood College. She became a teacher in Frederick, Maryland and taught for 31 years. Like so many teachers, she loved the kids but could not stand the constant re-invention of the wheel from the county and state Department of Education.

In October 1969, this woman with long auburn hair and hazel eyes, met a Fredrick boy who had just completed his 4-year tour in the United States Marines. Sylvia and Darrell (aka Bones) Taylor just celebrated 55 years together. The best result of this union was their son, John Taylor.

Sylvia has requested cremation, but not until after a viewing for her friends which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike in Frederick.

A memorial service and interment will be held at the family plots at the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia, at the convenience of the family. Sylvia’s grave will be within spitting distance of the Stonewall Jackson final resting place. Still, and always, a lady of the south.

Sylvia spent over two months at the Autumn Lake Healthcare facility in Walkersville. The family must compliment all the staff members from the kitchen staff to housekeeping, to Sylvia’s aides and the LPNs and RNs. If other organizations would run like Autumn Lake, the world would be a better place. We will always be grateful that we chose this facility.

Sylvia was assured that even in heaven there will be many Republicans that she could hotly debate.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.