Juanita Novella (Wharton) Taylor

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Taylor will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE STRONGLY URGED!!!

The family will hold a private Celebration of Life service for

Juanita Wharton Taylor.

We invite those who wish to join the celebration

to do so by live-stream:

Saturday, May 30, 2026

1:30 pm ET

Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor FaceBook page

Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor YouTube

Memorial donations in memory of Juanita W. Taylor may be made to the St. Titus’ Episcopal Church, to North Carolina A& T University and to Carl D. Hodges, Sr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

JUANITA NOVELLA WHARTON TAYLOR

OBITUARY

Juanita Wharton Taylor, known to her family as “Neet”, was the youngest of three children born to Annie Melissa Harris Wharton and Fletcher Decatur “F.D.” Wharton on March 11, 1924 in Kentucky. Her self-reliance, perseverance, and dedication to excellence led her to excel academically, as well as professionally.  During her early years, her father’s career as an educator and agriculture extension agent led the family to live in several towns in Oklahoma and in North Carolina, before settling in Tarboro, North Carolina, where Juanita completed high school.

Juanita enrolled in North Carolina A & T University after high school, following the family tradition set by her father, mother, sister, and brother, all A & T alums. Her self-reliance, perseverance, and dedication to excellence led her to excel academically, and later, in her professional life as well.  Juanita completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics at North Carolina A & T University, and later went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree in Guidance Counseling & Psychology at Columbia University, pursue a master’s degree in Home Economics at Ohio State University, and completed a fellowship in Education Policy at George Washington University.

It was while she was pursuing her degree at A & T that she met a star football athlete who stole her heart and would soon became her husband.  Together, Thomas Kenneth Taylor, Jr.  and Juanita Wharton Taylor shared over 60 years of marriage, raised a son, Dr. Thomas Kenneth Taylor, III and, after living briefly in Washington DC, made their home in Durham, NC.

Juanita began her early years of teaching in Eastern NC.  Upon moving to Durham, she taught Home Economics at Merrick-Moore High School and, after desegregation of Durham Public Schools, at Southern High School, where she later served as school counselor.  She was the first Black teacher in Durham County to receive the Teacher of the Year Award.

Dispite barriers of racism and sexism, Juanita achieved a distinguished career in the Durham public schools, including standing toe to toe when confronted by the grand dragon of the Ku Klux Klan challenging her methods of teaching and her advocacy for her students.  Her fortitude, sense of justice, and love for her students directed her course and she gave her students and her colleagues her best, including her heart.

After 27 years in the public school system, she left in 1972 to accept a position as Home Economics Consultant with the NC Department of Public Instruction. She was soon promoted to State Director of the Department’s Division of Vocational Development. Juanita excelled in that position. Her skills, talents and sharp wit commanded the respect of her peers and superiors alike, earning her numerous awards and recognition from the State (often as the first Black recipient of that award).  Her many awards included the Directors Award and the Certificate for Dedicated Service to Public Instruction in NC. In her Director position, she was appointment as NC’s representative on various national education and health-related boards and committees. This led to many long-term relationships with prominent national and international professionals. In 1987, Juanita retired from the NC State Department of Public Instruction after a distinguished 42-year career in health, counseling, and education. 

Juanita approached retirement with the same energy and enthusiasm with which she had approached her professional life.  She and her husband Thomas enjoyed traveling with her sister Anne and brother-in-law John. They often traveled together throughout the United States and abroad and visited six countries outside the US.

But travel did not consume Juanita’s time.  Much of her time and resources were dedicated to St. Titus Episcopal Church, where she had been a member since 1960, serving on the church Altar Guild, the Delaney House After School Program and the Benevolent Committee. Always compassionate and concerned for others, Juanita provided transportation to church members in need, and checked on those who were sick and shut-in.

A friend to all and beloved by all who knew her, Juanita continued to mentor, support, and counsel family, friends and others who sought her wisdom, as well as those she felt were in need of her wisdom. Juanita did not merely “meet” people, she “touched” people and developed lasting relationships with them.  Former students remained in touch and groups of students regularly visited her, always marveling at her ageless looks and wit. 

When asked at age 100 what was her secret to a long and healthy life, she replied, “Be kind and compassionate to people, exercise, and eat healthy.”  Juanita Wharton Taylor was living proof that this is a winning formula!

On May 22, 2026, Juanita Novelle Wharton Taylor departed this world to join her husband Thomas, her sister Anne M. Wharton Bridges and brother-in-law John, her brother Ferdinand D. Wharton, II, and her parents Annie M. Harris Wharton and Fletcher Decatur Wharton in her new heavenly home.

She leaves behind to celebrate her life: her son, Thomas Kenneth Taylor, III, MD (Eve Wright-Taylor); granddaughter, Alexandria Giada Taylor; nieces, Sheila Bridges-Bond, PhD (King “Kenny” P. Bond Jr.), Annita M. Bridges (Robert H. Alexander, Jr.), and Caroline Privette; nephews, Marc Wharton, PhD, Chuck Alison; grand-nieces Blayne Alexander Bailey (James “Jay”), Blake Bridges-Alexander, Natalie Privette-Jones (Danny Jones), Joycelyn R. Privette, and Cher-Rhonda P. Williams (Sheldon); grand-nephew, Ricardo D. Privette (Tanella); great-grand-nephews Brandon Wharton (Aleshea) and Robbie Alison; great-grand-nieces Sage Milan Bailey and Skylar Alexander Bailey; and a host of other great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

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