Mother Martha Taylor "Big Ma"

Martha Lee Varnado was born in Magnolia, Mississippi on November 9, 1937 to the union of Ernie and Ethel Varnado.  Martha was trained as a child in a loving family with six (6) sisters and three (3) brothers.  Martha received her education in Mississippi where she met and married Robert Taylor.  The two (2) became one (1) as they united in holy matrimony on January 19, 1957 where they vowed before God to remain married until death do them part and after celebrating “60” years together God himself broke the vow. 

During the course of those sixty (60) years to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor seven (7) children were born in this order; Brenda, Robert, Tracy, Bobbie, Donald, Henry and Gregory.  Life as a wife and mother began for Martha and as stories are told she was a good mother always loving and putting her family first as she trained her children up in the admonition of the Lord.

The Taylor family were a family of migrant workers migrating in multiple locations over the years, between Mississippi, Florida and Michigan.  It is here in Benton Harbor that Martha and her husband planted their roots to establish their home.  It is here in Benton Harbor where Martha continued to raise her family, make new friends and build her legacy. 

In her new found home-town Martha began looking for a place to continue her walk with the Lord.  Somewhere she can continue to build her relationship with God.  Somewhere, where the Spirit of the Lord resided and after doing just what the Bible said she asked, she seeked and then she found.  Martha found Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C. lead under the leadership of Pastor Rudolph Thomas and his wife Lady Josphine Thomas.  Two of Gods anointed that took her in and nurtured her desire to please God. 

Over the years of faithfully serving God at Holy Temple in various areas Martha became Mother Taylor an awesome Sunday School teacher.  Mother Taylor continued to work in the church until age cripped upon her and even then, when she couldn’t physically work, she worked financially always giving of her finances without grudging.  Mother Taylor was a giver to the church.  Not only in money but in prayer.  Mother Taylor was a praying Mother and she had the gift of signs.  If you needed a confirmation from God, ask Mother Taylor to look for your sign and in a few days, she was telling you it’s alright, I’ve seen my sign. 

As Mother Taylor’s family continued to mature, she became a grandmother and that changed her name from Mot to Big Ma.  Big Ma was a grandmother to her grandchildren in the same manner she was a mother to her children.  Teaching and speaking to every grandchild about the wonderful name of Jesus.  Telling them right from wrong, letting them know that prayer works, leaving an impression on their hearts that can never be replaced. 

Big Ma is everybody’s Big Ma, from the eldest to the youngest to whomever became a part of her life.  She’s Big Ma to the church family.  She’s Big Ma to the in-laws and their families.  She’s Big Ma to the friends of the grandchildren.  She’s everybody’s Big Ma.  She’s even Big Ma to Bella and Sage.  You couldn’t help but to love you some Big Ma.

During the transition of our beloved Pastor Rudolph Thomas, Mother Taylor became a member of Latter Day Worship C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Pastor Bryan O. Williams, Sr. and Lady Roshanna Williams.  There at Latter Day Worship Mother Taylor still holds the reign as Big Ma to the church family.  She believes in Pastor Williams and has always taken him as her spiritual Son.  There was no doubt in her mind that her membership meant a lot to Pastor Williams. 

What can be said about Aunt Mot?  All over the region; Virginia, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Indiana, and Georgia, Aunt Mot will be missed.  Her loving presence will be cherished forever in the hearts of her family. 

Those left to cherish Big ma loving memories are two (2) daughters; Brenda (Larry) Brimson and Tracy Rogers.  One (1) son; Gregory Taylor.  Three (3) daughters-in-love; Cora, Monique and Tammy Taylor.  Thirty-one (31) grandchildren and a multitude of great-grands. One (1) sister-in-law; Hattie Mae Varnado and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Martha Varnado, Martha Taylor, Mother Taylor, Big Ma was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three (3) sons; one (1) daughter; one (1) son-in law; one (1) granddaughter; two (2) great-grandsons, nine (9) siblings, five (5) brother-in-law’s, two (2) sister-in-law’s as well as a number of nieces and nephews.   

Psalms 23:6 – Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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