Sharon Laverne (Anderson) Taylor, 80, of Akron, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The eldest of five children, Sharon was born on June 8, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to James Wilmer and Althea Ernestine (Walters) Anderson of Jackson, Mississippi. Tragically, Althea passed away two weeks after Sharon’s birth (complications from sickle cell anemia). Subsequently, for the first years of Sharon’s life, she was lovingly raised in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, by her maternal grandmother Zadie and step-grandfather Paul Harvey. She also spent loving, quality time in Chicago with her maternal grandfather, Harry Walters, and his wife, Dorothy.

When Sharon was four, her father met and married Naomi Ruth Booker of Meridian, Mississippi. Naomi brought to the marriage a daughter, Marilyn, who was nine months younger than Sharon. At the time of their marriage, James was working in Detroit, Michigan, and that’s where they settled and raised their family. As a result of this union, the family continued to grow with the births of Wilma, James Jr., and Eric.

All the members of the Anderson family were baptized into the Catholic Church and were faithful members of Our Lady of Victory Church in Detroit. At Our Lady of Victory, Sharon was introduced to the foundational faith that would guide the rest of her life.

From grades 1–12, Sharon attended St. James in Ferndale, Michigan. In high school, she participated in many activities, including a championship debate team and Model UN. She graduated with honors in 1963.

Following high school, Sharon attended college, intent on pursuing a career as a teacher, like her grandmother. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Wayne State University and later a master’s degree from the University of Akron.

Not unlike many young adults, Sharon had an active social life and enjoyed meeting new people. While attending a party in Indiana, she met the man who would become the love of her life, South Bend resident Sanford Taylor. While they spoke, developed a connection, and had fun during the party, afterwards Sharon went back home to Michigan. However, they continued to think about each other and, in due course, started chatting again. As they say, the rest is history.

Sanford Taylor wed Sharon Anderson on July 5, 1969, at Our Lady of Victory Church in Detroit, Michigan. After the marriage, the couple moved to Akron, Ohio, where Sharon was hired as a teacher in the Akron Public School system and Sanford was hired as an architect by Firestone Tire and Rubber. Once they were firmly established in their careers, they decided to start a family, and in 1973 they were blessed with their first child, Jeffrey. Four years later, a second son, Michael, was born.

Sharon was very committed to faith, family, and friends. She was a very involved member of St. Hilary Church. She attended Mass every week and was also a Eucharistic Minister. This commitment to faith was instilled upon her sons as well. Both attended Catholic school from kindergarten through high school, and both were altar boys while attending St. Hilary Grade School. Sharon also had an extensive network of teacher friends, and they would often get together outside of work for various social activities. Sharon was an avid history buff. Family vacations often took a detour if a battlefield, museum, or any other historic venue was in the general area.

Sharon loved her job as a teacher, and her students loved her as well. She was a tough but fair educator. Years after they graduated and had families of their own, many of Sharon’s former students would see her out and about and would make it a point to stop her and tell her about the positive influence she had on their lives. These interactions always brought a smile to her face.

While she loved being a teacher, she had numerous other interests. Retirement afforded Sharon and Sanford the free time to do things they had always wanted to do. They took vacations across the U.S. as well as abroad. Sharon also enjoyed sewing, gardening, flower arranging, creative crafts, quilting, knitting, and spending time with her sons and their families.

Left behind to carry on her legacy are her two sons, Jeffrey (Jennifer) of Green, Ohio, and Michael (Susann) of Akron, Ohio; as well as grandchildren Jarrett, Jillian, Josie, Elisa, and Mia; two sisters, Marilyn (Richard) Chase and Wilma Anderson; and two brothers, James (Cynthia) Anderson and Eric Anderson; beloved in-laws Ben (Marlene), James (LaVonne), and Carl (Marilyn); as well as many nieces, nephews, and good friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, James and Althea Anderson; stepmother, Naomi Anderson; and her loving husband, Sanford Taylor.

On Wednesday morning, September 24, 2025, the Lord greeted Sharon and said, “My daughter, it’s time to come home.”