Arie W. Taylor, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025, in Newport News, Virginia, at the age of 79. Born on September 9, 1946, in Syracuse, New York, Arie lived a life full of love, dedication, and adventure.
Arie was a retired teacher who touched the lives of many students with her passion for education and her nurturing spirit. Her commitment to learning extended beyond the classroom, as she pursued an associate’s degree in business from Mohawk Valley Community College in Syracuse after graduating from Central Tech High School.
A woman of diverse interests, Arie found joy in water aerobics and Zumba, often participating in classes at the Victory Family YMCA. She was also an avid knitter and crocheter, creating beautiful pieces that will be cherished by her family for years to come. Her love for travel took her around the world, and she especially enjoyed cruising with her loved ones.
Arie was a devoted member of Calvary Revival Church and actively participated in the Yorktown Senior Citizens Center. She was also a passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness, supporting the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Maceo J. Felton and Winifred M. Felton, and her brother, Maceo N. Felton. Arie leaves behind a loving family, including her husband, Lawrence A. Taylor; her daughters, Neysa A. Taylor-Wyatt and her husband John F. Wyatt IV, and April E. Taylor; her grandchildren, Brianna M. Brezial, Isaiah M. Hopkins, Nyla J. Wyatt, and Dyamond M. Wyatt. She is also survived by her brother, Thaddeus L. Felton; her sisters, Isabel Brown and her husband Will, and Carolyn E. McGhee; two nieces, a nephew, a host of cousins, and numerous friends, each a cherished family member in their own right.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Christ The King Episcopal Church, 4109 Big Bethel Road, Yorktown, VA 23693. This will be a very casual gathering, reflecting Arie’s warm and welcoming nature.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the American Heart Association in Arie’s memory. Her legacy of love, kindness, and strength will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her.