Helen Marie Smith Taylor, 86, of Indian Head, Maryland was born on May 17, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the only child of Victoria Baugh Purnell. She was educated in the schools of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating from Simon Gratz High School in January 1948. She majored in commercial subjects, desiring to become a secretary, which was an unusual position for African Americans at that time. However, she became an executive secretary at HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) for thirty years, retiring in June 1990.

Helen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age, being baptized at Wayland Temple Baptist Church. While singing on the Junior Choir, she met Bill Taylor. They fell in love and were married on September 17, 1949, being married for 52 years when Deacon Taylor went home to be with the Lord. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Victoria (Vicki) Thompson and Karen Graham.

Upon moving to West Mt. Airy in Philadelphia, the family joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Germantown. Helen was active with the DMJ Meditation Choir, Ever Ready Ministry and served as a Deaconess for twenty-three years. After the passing of her husband, William, Helen moved to Maryland to be near her children and grandson. She lived with her daughter Vicki and son-in-law Leonard. She joined the Fort Foote Baptist Church, and became active with the Prime Timers, Sunday School Class, and the DOVE Ministry.

Peacefully on Monday, August 29, 2016 at the MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, Maryland, Helen Marie Smith Taylor transitioned to eternal life. She leaves to mourn her death two daughters, Victoria (Leonard) and Karen (Kevin); one grandson, Leonard William Thompson (LT); one sister-in-law, Joan Lomax; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Viewing, 10:00 am until time of Service, 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 6, 2016, Fort Foote Baptist Church, 8310 Fort Foote Road, Fort Washington, Maryland 20744. Viewing 11:00 am, Interment 12 noon, Wednesday, September 7, 2016, George Washington Memorial Park, 80 Stenton Avenue, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania 19462. Arrangements by Thornton Funeral Home.