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OBITUARY
Martha Elizabeth Taylor was born September 4, 1936 in Haines City, Florida to Mary Taylor and Gibbs Taylor.
She was the youngest of her seven siblings. At an early age she accepted Christ in her life and was a member of
St. Mark A.M.E. Church, Haines City, Florida. She received her early education in the Polk County School Sys-
tem, graduating from Oakland High School in 1952 at 16 years of age. She continued her education at Florida
Agricultural & Mechanical College (now known as Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University) where she
received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics at 20 years of age.
While at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical College, on April 2, 1954, she joined her beloved Zeta Phi Beta So-
rority. Wanting to pursue her love for teaching at her beloved Oakland High School, she applied to teach and
was told she was too young for a teaching certificate. Undeterred, she applied in Lee County and began her
teaching career in 1956 at Dunbar High School.
After moving to Fort Myers, she met and married Toney Bert Williams on June 15, 1957 at St. Mark AME
Church in Haines City. To this union was born a beautiful daughter, Tonilynn VeAnn Williams. They remained
married until Toney Bert (as he was affectionately called) was called home on June 23, 1993.
She continued teaching in the Lee County School system until 1986 when she retired from Cypress Lake High
School. However, at her young age she wasn’t ready to take on the status of retired and began working for the
City of Fort Myers at the Harborside Event Center for the next ten (10) years.
She was a member of Mt. Olive A.M.E Church for 60 years. An avid bible student, she was a member of the
Adult Church School Class and was the lead of the First Sunday counting team. Her favorite scripture, Philippi-
ans 4:13, is evidence of her faith in God. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
As a trail blazer, her dedication for her beloved sorority continued and in 1967 she was a charter member and the
backbone of Eta Alpha Zeta Chapter in Fort Myers, Florida. She served as President of Eta Alpha Zeta Chapter
for 13 ½ years and at least one term in just about every other position. In addition, she was Area Coordinator for
13 years; served in many positions at the State level to include Chairman of the Executive Board; many positions
at the Southeastern Regional level and served in positions at the National level. She was instrumental in the
adoption of Lee Charter School by the Eta Alpha Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. She and her beloved
chapter provided tutoring services, school snacks, ran the school store and much more to support the students
and staff of the school. In 2010, in Dallas, Texas, she was inducted into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s Dove Club. At
the time she earned her eternal wings, she was a Golden Life member with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority with 61 years
and 10 months of active dedicated membership.
On January 23, 2016, Martha Taylor Williams “heard the voice of Jesus say, come unto me and rest.” At 4:19
a.m., she laid down her weary head upon his chest. Her work on earth is done and she has earned her rest. She
will be missed and her memories remain in the hearts of her beloved daughter, Tonilynn VeAnn Williams
(Timothy Russ); her cherished granddaughter, Na’Veair Ariel Williams; nieces to include her dedicated niece,
Vivian Bought (Frank); nephews; brother-in-law; sister-in-laws; cousins; other relatives; sisters of Zeta Phi Beta
Sorority; brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; her Dunbar High School students and classes of 1960 and 1966;
her Lafayette Street neighbors to include a devoted neighbor Ken Knight; her Mt. Olive AME Church Family
and many others who love her and will cherish her memory.
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