Redell (Whitfield) Taylor

On Wednesday morning, November 26, 2025, GOD called home one of his faithful servants, Redell Whitfield Taylor. Redell was born on May 18, 1941, to the late Joe A. Whitfield and Ethel Wright Whitfield Williams in Capron, VA.

Redell knew and loved the Lord and accepted Christ at an early age, attending Shiloh Baptist Church in Boykins, VA, with her grandparents. She taught her children to know and love the Lord as well.

Redell was educated in the Southampton County public school system. She was self-taught and obtained her GED. Redell was a certified nursing assistant and attended Thomas Nelson Community College for 1 year. Redell loved retail and retired from the Langley Air Force Base Exchange.

Redell lived in the YWCA in Norfolk, VA, in the late 50s, where she met and married the late William R. Taylor (Navy veteran) on April 8, 1960. They moved to Chicago, IL, and unto this union they were blessed with 3 children, Aleta, Frances, and William. They were married for 12 years. Redell moved back to Norfolk, VA, where she met Alexander Cosby (Navy veteran), and unto this union she was blessed with 1 child, Marlon A. Cosby.

Redell was such a kind, loving, and giving person to all she met. She loved to read, listen to Motown music, look at Grit TV, cook, eat, and talk to people. Talking on the phone with her sister-in-law, Elsie Whitfield, was a highlight of her day; they would talk about everything for hours. Redell had unconditional love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was known as Gran-Gran.

Redell was preceded in death by her father, Joe A. Whitfield (Louise); mother, Ethel Williams (Payton); brothers, Pastor Joe  A. Whitfield, Filbert Williams, and Milton Whitfield; sisters, Inell Hunter and Jean "Kitty" Taylor.

Redell leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Aleta Minkins (Ronnie) and Frances Hines, all of Hampton, VA; two sons, William Taylor (Chalyndria) of Mechanicsville, VA, and Marlon Cosby of Hampton, VA; bonus sons, Ronnie Minkins (Aleta) of Hampton, VA and Darrell Whitehurst (Tonya) of Richmond, VA; and a bonus daughter Sabrina Murphy (Thurman) of Texas; siblings, Pastor Donnie Whitfield (Kathy), Pastor Dean Whitfield (Peggy), Elder Wayne Whitfield (Doris) Payton Williams (Sharon), Brenda Kindred (Jerrell), Jennifer Britt (James), Lisa Baker (Harvey), and Pamela Williams; eight grandchildren, Latoya Taylor, Latonya Webster (Andre), Natalie King, Jasmine Gordon, Stephanie Calloway (Tajh), Janel Taylor, Kiawaana Harrington, and Romello Taylor (Tiaja); thirteen great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, loving relatives, and friends.

A funeral service to celebrate Redell's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 4, 202, in Whting's Funeral Home with a viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Little Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. 

Professional services have been entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Redell (Whitfield) Taylor, please visit our floral store.