Elizabeth Taylor Tazewell - Obituary [Virginian-Pilot, 2016]

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Jun. 26, 2016 - Link

Elizabeth T. Tazewell

Virginia Beach - Elizabeth "Betsy" Taylor Tazewell, 95, passed away on June 23, 2016, at Westminster-Canterbury in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was born on May 22, 1921, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Lewis Jerome Taylor and Roberta Newton Taylor.

Betsy grew up at Stillwaters, her family home in Talbot Park, attended Miss Turnbull's Private School for Girls in Norfolk, Virginia, and made her debut in 1942. After high school, she attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and in June of 1942, married her high school sweetheart, John Tazewell, who had just graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. After raising five children and John's retirement in 1970, Betsy returned to Old Dominion University, and was conferred a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1972.

Betsy inherited the best of Tidewater gentility from her mother, and a strong measure of Yankee independence from her father. She was deeply spiritual and embodied love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. She was devoted to her husband and her family, and she enjoyed visiting family and friends all over the United States and the world. She was an avid sailor, and enjoyed sailing the Crab Creek environs, the Chesapeake Bay and up and down the East Coast with John. She was a member of the Monday Club, and enjoyed studying art, music and architecture, both in Tidewater and during their travels.

Betsy was pre deceased by her husband John, and her daughter Elizabeth; and is survived by her daughter, Judith, and her three sons, John, Richard, and Littleton, together with thirteen grandchildren and ten great-grand children.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Canterbury, Virginia Beach, on August 27, 2016. A private ceremony to scatter Betsy's ashes will follow in Norfolk.