Irene Taylor

Irene Smith Taylor, affectionately known as Niecy—a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend—peacefully passed away on August 9, 2025, at the age of 78.

Born on February 23, 1947, in Rockingham, North Carolina, Irene was one of nine children born to the union of the late Benjamin and Laura Jane Smith.

She was united in marriage to Theodore Taylor, Jr., creating a beautiful, combined family of 3 children.

Irene spent a brief period of her early childhood in Pennsylvania before returning to Rockingham to reside in a local community called Philadelphia. Upon graduating from Leak Street High School, she moved to New York City, NY. She started her working career at the New York New England Exchange (NYNEX) Telephone Company as a telephone operator. Her tenacity in seeking upward mobility resulted in a future promotion to a Department Director for more than a decade. However, with an ever-increasing desire to return to her state of birth, she returned to Charlotte in 1993. She worked for the Mecklenburg County Child Support Services for a brief stint, preferring the position of Information Technology (IT) Technician for the Carolina Medical Center. Irene retired from the Medical Center in 2005.

Irene’s life was defined not only by her career but by her deep love and care for those around her. She will be remembered as one of the pillars and mother figures to her daughter’s childhood friends, where she resided at 1199 CO-OP in Harlem, NY. She was witty, unselfishly supportive, a great provider and always willing to lend an ear to many. Through direct and indirect tutelage, generosity and selflessness, she taught her siblings how to support each other during difficult times. She was extremely entertaining during her banter with her dear husband, Theodore Taylor, Jr. She will be greatly missed.

Irene was preceded in death by a daughter, two brothers in law, and a niece, Andrea Yvonee Taylor Wright, Paul R. Norwood and Willie Earl Pondexter and Casey Sade Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memories: A loving husband, Theodore Taylor Jr.; two daughters, Nicole Buford (Walter) of Charlotte, NC, Allison Taylor of Moncks Corner, SC; four sisters and four brothers, Brenda J. Norwood of Charlotte, NC, Irma L. Conway of Monroe, NC, Deborah A. Pondexter of Matthews, NC, Laura R. Scruggs (Donald) of Charlotte, NC, Stanley Smith of Fayetteville, NC, Stevey Smith of Belleville, IL, Gregory Smith of Rockingham, NC, and Donald Smith (Sheila) of Monroe, NC; Brother-in-law, Robert Taylor of Patterson, NJ; ten grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.