Martha Cornelia Taylor-Dickerson

Martha Cornelia Taylor-Dickerson, of Winter Garden, passed away peacefully early in the morning of Aug. 12, 2020. She was two weeks shy of her 89th birthday. Beginning her story in Mims, FL. on Aug. 28, 1931, Martha was the first of two daughters born to Truman and Eva Taylor, both lifelong Florida residents from Shiloh and Mims, respectively. Truman was a principled and well-respected businessman who hailed from one of Shiloh’s most prominent families. Truman often fondly recounted his younger days to his children and grandchildren in the small and close-knit village, prior to its annexation as part of Kennedy Space Center. While in Mims, he first worked for and later owned Dunn’s Garage as well as helped create Walker and Taylor Trucking. A graduate of Florida State College for Women, Eva taught elementary school while raising her children, ensuring the girls had a strong foundation of faith as well as a thorough knowledge of family and local history. Martha and her younger sister Enid spent a great deal of time with their Taylor cousins growing up, enjoying the serene beaches and beautiful trails that Brevard County had to offer. The banks of the St. John’s River and Playalinda Beach were the backdrop for some of her most cherished memories. Though preceded in death by parents, her sister Enid, and all but her youngest cousin, Thomas Taylor of Sarasota, FL., Martha loved to describe the happy days of her youth, full of simple pleasures like chatting on porch swings, picking local citrus, and playing outside until dusk. After attending Florida State College for Women (renamed Florida State University in 1947) and Florida Southern, Martha was introduced to native Texan Gordon Dickerson while on a double date. And though she would never reveal if Gordon was intended to be her date or her friend’s, the two connected and their romance blossomed into eventual marriage in October 1951. Recently discharged from the Army, Gordon chose to make his home in Central Florida after his honorable service during World War II. He then completed the education the war had interrupted at Florida Southern, and after a stint managing Winter Garden’s celebrated and historic Edgewater Hotel, Gordon opened his medical lab on Newell Street adjacent to Dr. Albert Gleason’s office. There he would maintain a long career completing blood work and x-rays for countless Winter Garden residents. As newlyweds the couple lived in Auburndale FL. for several years, welcoming the first two of their four children, Taylor and Robin. After briefly staying in Oakland, FL. while their new home was built, Gordon and Marth then moved to their cottage-like house on Virginia Drive in Winter Garden where children Suzanne and Thomas would begin life. A homemaker while her children were young, Martha then worked for Heller Bros Packing Corporation as part of their office administration team. The family of six also enjoyed their annual ritual of loading into a travel trailer and venturing to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains for a camping trip each summer. Enjoying the area to the fullest, eventually Gordon and Martha purchased a more permanent abode in a quiet creek-side cove where they would return annually each year to make more precious memories. Over time, their children grew and moved on to build lives and families of their own. Martha retired from Heller Bros and Gordon sold his laboratory to embrace life as empty nesters. Members of First Baptist Church, they were active in their congregation and community. Martha was a skilled and award-winning quilter – a passion she continued throughout her life and gifted to her daughter Suzanne. They also enjoyed cruising the Caribbean and Mexico with various lines – most especially when all four children and their spouses joined them for one of their last seafaring adventures. Family her greatest pride and joy, Martha was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, as well as a favored aunt to her late sister’s three children and their families. Even well into her late 80s, she enjoyed reuniting with her large and lively extended Taylor family each year – where laugher would ring, stories would be told (and a lot of the same jokes), and more memories would be created and savored. Martha is survived by her husband of nearly 69 years, Gordon; her son Taylor of Tallahassee, his wife Elizabeth, and grandson Joe. She is also survived by daughter Robin of Orlando; daughter Suzanne and her husband Robert Ficquette of Winter Garden; and their children: Preston and his wife Morgan of Clermont; Caroline and her fiancé Anthony DePonto of Naples, FL.; and her youngest child Tom, of Atlanta, GA., and his wife Mary. A private service will be held for the immediate family. Condolences may be sent to Gordon Dickerson, c/o Suzanne Ficquette 7 East Division St. Winter Garden, FL. 34787.

Martha Cornelia Taylor-Dickerson

August 28, 1931 - August 12, 2020