In Memory of

Class of 1948
Oct 23, 1930 - Jul 24, 2021

Arline Johnson Taylor was happiest when her family gathered at her home, Reunion Hill, in Black Mountain, N.C., around the big round table to eat a bountiful feast, tell stories, laugh, and share the love of a close-knit clan. Arline, known affectionately as “Mama Arline” and “Marnine,” died July 24, 2021, peacefully at home at Reunion Hill, supported by her six children and their families. She was 90. Born in Texarkana, Texas, on October 23, 1930, Arline grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, with her parents, Honey Dear and Kitty Johnson, and her siblings, Kackie and Bubba. She graduated from William Byrd High School and Centenary College. When she was 20 years old, she married John Randolph “Randy” Taylor, whom she'd fallen in love with during a summer in Montreat, N.C., a mountain retreat for Presbyterian missionaries and their families. Randy, who soon became a Presbyterian minister, and Arline lived in Richmond where he attended seminary and she was an educator, and then they moved to Aberdeen, Scotland, where he pursued his doctorate and Arline wowed the Scots with her American ways, including “her high heels and pretty red lipstick.” Arline described her life's work as a partner in ministry with her beloved husband, Randy, and together they served the Church of the Pilgrims in Washington, D.C., Central Church in Atlanta, Ga., Myers Park Church in Charlotte, N.C., and San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, Calif. She and Randy together created a nationwide network of friends and allies who were active in the civil rights movement and enabled the reunion of the northern and southern Presbyterian churches in 1983. In her retirement, Arline was an active member of the Montreat Presbyterian Church and proudly served on its session. Arline was loving, generous, humorous, savvy, sweet, and hospitable. She was the consummate hostess, and she had a habit of “putting the big pot in the little pot” as she welcomed friends into her home for wonderful meals and warm fellowship. She also always made sure she had some special treats on hand for those she loved. Arline was a brilliant bridge player – pity those who tried to take her on. She is survived by five daughters and one son, and their spouses: Katherine and Paul Jennings of Kernersville, N.C.; Margaret and Tony Almeida of Salisbury, N.C.; Ginger and Alex Evans of Richmond, Va.; Tom Patteson and Lynn Webber of Black Mountain, N.C.; Arline and Mike Riley of Arlington, Va.; and Nancy and Bob Crawford of Ann Arbor, Mich. She was the proud Marnine to 14 grandchildren and 14 and a half great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Margie Johnson of Austin, Tex., and Margaret Taylor and her husband, Steve, of Hartsville, S.C., along with numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Arline lived her life devoted to her parents, siblings, husband, children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and dogs; for her, family was the alpha and the omega, and it provided her the greatest joy throughout her life, as she provided the most wonderful joy for them. Arline's family wants to thank Mountain Ridge Wellness Center, Asheville Home Health, and Care Partners Hospice for their excellent care in her final weeks. Memorials can be made to the J. Randolph Taylor Fellows Program at Montreat Conference Center, P.O. Box 969, Montreat, N.C., 28757, or Montreat Presbyterian Church, P.O Box 577, Montreat, N.C., 28757. A celebration service to honor Arline's life will be held in Montreat at a later date. Photo by Red Cardinal Studio.