Ms. Tonya Rachelle Taylor

Tonya Rachelle’ Taylor, daughter of George Taylor and Gwendolyn White Taylor, was born on July 15, 1972, in Jacksonville, Florida. She departed this earthly life on January 13, 2021,at her home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Tonya was a member of the 1994 graduating class of Elon University, where she received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. At Elon, she was the first black editor-in-chief of “The Pendulum” Newspaper. Her work as an influential black student certainly shook things up around campus. She brought attention to real problems that African American students faced at the school. She was a very devoted Elon Alumna. She also attended New York University’s Tisch School, where she studied Journalism and Communication. Tonya was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was also a member of the Fortune Magazine Business Council, the Elon University Alumni Association Board, and Jack and Jill of America. She served as speaker for the Association of Fundraising Professionals and was a founding board member and Public Relations Chair for Young Women’s Charter School of Rochester. Tonya had over twenty-five years of experience in institutional advancement in higher education, healthcare, and the public sector. She had a proven record of success in multi-million dollar fundraising initiatives. She was a very passionate advocate for black women and children’s health. Throughout her career, she accomplished so many things. She experienced her proudest moments while she was directing and managing a fundraising consulting firm which served organizations all over the country. She was a Philanthropy/Gifting Professional who worked tirelessly in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and in many other cities in the United States through various charitable organizations and colleges. She also led Gifting Philanthropy projects in the United Kingdom and Africa. She recently accepted an Executive Director position at the McClatchy Journalism Institute, where she was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of gifting those in need, instead of asking on behalf of others. She was and has always been, instilling real positive change. Tonya loved to write, cook, host, decorate and create. She was so creative. If there were ever something bland or dull, she found a way to make it beautiful. She made everything just as beautiful as she was. She also loved jazz music. She drew inspiration from jazz artists and enjoyed traveling the world to hear them play live when she had the opportunity. She is survived by her daughter, Taylor Lauren Freeman of Durham, NC; her parents: George Taylor and Gwendolyn White Taylor of Coral Springs, Florida; aunts: Patricia Comfort-Capers, Wilhelmenia (Ossie) Francis, Carolyn (Charlie) Reid and Theresa Simmons; uncles: Arthur Taylor and Ed (Diana) White; a host of grand aunts, grand uncles and cousins; best friend, Seanelle Hawkins; her NY City Team: Beate Parra, Tim Gladden, Michele Richard and Debra Hutto of the San Francisco Bay area; and so many other friends and associates. Tonya will be laid to rest with a private ceremony on January 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in Charleston, SC. Services will be livestreamed at: http://youtube.com/nfinityforevernfinityllc. In lieu of Flowers, please make a Gift to The UNC Horizons Program or the McClatchy Journalism Institute, 1731 Howe Ave #242 Sacramento, CA 95825 in Tonya’s honor.

Ms. Tonya Rachelle Taylor

July 15, 1972 - January 13, 2021