Zion-benton High School Alumni
Zion, Illinois (IL)
In Memory of
Connie Denice Taylor,
1961-2025
Born Jul 23, 1961, Connie Denice Taylor, attended Zion-benton High School in Zion, IL.
Class of 1979
Jul 23, 1961 - May 29, 2025
Jul 23, 1961 - May 29, 2025
Connie Denice Taylor, age 63 of Zion, Illinois went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Vista Medical Center East. She was born July 23, 1961, to the union of Amos A. Taylor, Sr. and Alice Taylor in Waukegan, Illinois. Connie was the fourth child of six children and was educated in the Zion school system. She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Zion, Illinois under the pastorate of Rev. B.J. Gaston.
Connie was a graduate of Zion Benton Township High School and during her time there she met Ray Cleave and they had a daughter Monicia Latrice Cleave. Connie, like her father, had the gift of connecting with those in the community and like her mother she wanted to feed anyone who stopped by her home. She kept the family tradition of attending the Arkansas Homecoming picnic and passed that love for family and togetherness to her daughter and grandchildren. She attended the annual Zion4Life Reunions where she shared funny stories with her hometown family.
She leaves to cherish her precious memory her Loving mother Alice Taylor, four grandchildren Syncere, Sy’rai, Damarious, and Legacy, Zion, IL; Siblings: Jennifer (Leland) Rogers, Felicia (Richard) Jackson both of Fort Washington, MD, Deann Taylor, Zion, IL, and Amos (Glenda) Taylor, Jr. of Harvest, AL. Notable family includes Linda Cleave of North Chicago, IL, Brenda Moore, Evelyn Moore, and Felicia Cleave all of Orlando, FL; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. Also, loved and appreciated – Michael and Sheila Copeland, Andrea Taylor, Cindy Madden and Kenyatta Chatman.
Connie was preceded in death by her common law husband Ray Cleave, her daughter Monicia L. Cleave, her father Amos A. Taylor, Sr., and sister Brenda J. Taylor. Also, Lille J. Cleave, Michael Cleave, Howard Moore, Roger Cleave, and Eric Cleave.
Connie was a graduate of Zion Benton Township High School and during her time there she met Ray Cleave and they had a daughter Monicia Latrice Cleave. Connie, like her father, had the gift of connecting with those in the community and like her mother she wanted to feed anyone who stopped by her home. She kept the family tradition of attending the Arkansas Homecoming picnic and passed that love for family and togetherness to her daughter and grandchildren. She attended the annual Zion4Life Reunions where she shared funny stories with her hometown family.
She leaves to cherish her precious memory her Loving mother Alice Taylor, four grandchildren Syncere, Sy’rai, Damarious, and Legacy, Zion, IL; Siblings: Jennifer (Leland) Rogers, Felicia (Richard) Jackson both of Fort Washington, MD, Deann Taylor, Zion, IL, and Amos (Glenda) Taylor, Jr. of Harvest, AL. Notable family includes Linda Cleave of North Chicago, IL, Brenda Moore, Evelyn Moore, and Felicia Cleave all of Orlando, FL; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. Also, loved and appreciated – Michael and Sheila Copeland, Andrea Taylor, Cindy Madden and Kenyatta Chatman.
Connie was preceded in death by her common law husband Ray Cleave, her daughter Monicia L. Cleave, her father Amos A. Taylor, Sr., and sister Brenda J. Taylor. Also, Lille J. Cleave, Michael Cleave, Howard Moore, Roger Cleave, and Eric Cleave.