Lydia Griselda Taliaferro

Lydia Griselda Taliaferro (Dee), the beloved seventh child of the late Gabriel E. and Lelia Griselda Williams Taliaferro, passed away peacefully at home with family, while in home hospice, on December 14, 2025, and was called to the place of her origin in the beauty and light of Love, where her soul is now with her God.

"She is not sent away, but only sent before."

Throughout Lydia's life she was known for her innate desire to help other people when they were down, and out. She was the essential altruist whose loving manner was always at the fore whenever aiding one in need. The phrase, "... give the clothes off my back to anyone in need," comes to mind. At an early age, Lydia joined the Rivermont Baptist Church and was baptized by church pastor, W. M. Brown. She began her formal education in the Lynchburg Public School System at Armstrong Elementary and graduated in 1952 from the august Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. She later attended, and received her graduating diploma from the Phillips Business College in Lynchburg. Following a lengthy period during the 1950's and 60s of making frequent jaunts to New York, her other favorite city, for the distinct purpose of experiencing life in an area of our country that was perforce less restrictive than in her southland home of Lynchburg, she was employed as a secretary for fifteen years at the Babcock Wilcox Atomic Energy Division in Lynchburg. Following her retirement, Lydia chose to spend the rest of her life in her birthplace, here, in Lynchburg, working, living, and sharing an ambient love with existing family.

"Like unto a star, which going out of our sight doth not die and vanish, but shineth in another hemisphere: ye see her not, but she doth shine in another country."

Lydia is survived by one loving brother, Clayton, of Lynchburg, and New York City. Also left to mourn are a nephew, Marvin E. Taliaferro (Lorraine) Pittsburgh, Pa.; a niece, Karen Morelli (Dominic) Magnolia, Delaware; a devoted cousin L. H. Franklin (Carolyn) Lynchburg; and grandnieces, grandnephews, and loving friends in her extended family.

Pre-deceased family includes three beloved sisters, Barbara J. Taliaferro, M. Jean Taliaferro, and Katherine T. Wood, (Harry); five beloved brothers: Donald (Evelyn), Gabriel (Clara, Jacqueline), Marvin (Elizabeth), Waverly Millie), Dexter (Adele)Taliaferro, and two nephews, Linwood Taliaferro, (Sounjanette), Raleigh, NC, and Richard Taliaferro, Atlanta, Ga.

Heartfelt thanks to the entire staff and all the workers at the UVA Lynchburg Dialysis Center, and to the Hospice of Virginia for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, consider making donations to the Alzheimer Association, American Kidney Fund, or one of the above.

A graveside service will be held at the Forest Hill Burial Park on Lakeside Drive at 12 PM on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.  

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.