Leila Celestine Jackson “Mama Celeste"

Known to many simply as Celestine or “Mama Celeste”, she embodied the grace and angelic spirit reflected in her name. A woman of extraordinary compassion, unwavering conviction, and boundless generosity, Celestine lived a life rooted in love, service, and an enduring commitment to the wellbeing of others. She was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, grandmother, and friend whose warmth, wisdom, and strength touched countless lives. 

At the heart of Celestine’s life was a profound belief in the dignity and worth of every person. A passionate advocate for civil rights, children, and underserved communities, she understood that meaningful change required more than compassion alone; it required action. She proudly marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., standing firmly in her convictions and lending her voice to the pursuit of justice and equality. That same spirit of advocacy would become a defining thread throughout her life’s work. 

With a deep passion for childhood development and the importance of nurturing young minds, Celestine dedicated many years to owning and operating a childcare development center. For her, this work was far more than a profession or business venture. It was an opportunity to cultivate potential, empower families, and help lay the foundation for brighter futures. She recognized that supporting a child meant embracing the family and community surrounding them, and she poured her heart into creating an environment where children could flourish and families could feel supported. Her commitment to this work was further reflected in her certifications in Early Childhood Development and her associate degree from Virginia State University. 

As the years passed, Celestine’s calling to serve others continued to evolve, but her purpose never wavered. In the later chapters of her life, she extended her compassion to the elderly, offering companionship, attentive care, and steadfast advocacy to those who needed it most. She understood the importance of preserving dignity, providing comfort, and ensuring that every individual felt seen, heard, and valued. Whether nurturing a child at the beginning of life’s journey or offering tenderness to someone nearing its end, Celestine approached every person with the same extraordinary humanity. 

Her generosity extended well beyond her professional endeavors. Celestine was deeply committed to uplifting her community, dedicating her time and energy to serving those experiencing hardship, including helping provide Thanksgiving meals to individuals experiencing homelessness. She also held the distinguished honor of serving as president of both American Legion Unit 125 and the Golden Angels Social and Community Club in Henrico County, Virginia.

Her commitment to faith and fellowship was further reflected in her former membership at Trinity Baptist Church, also located in Henrico County. To know Celestine was to witness love in action. She possessed a rare ability to recognize the needs of others and respond with genuine care. Her compassion was not reserved for those closest to her; it reached into her community, across generations, and toward people from every walk of life. She believed in showing up, speaking up, and extending a helping hand wherever one was needed. 

Above all, Celestine cherished her family, whose lives were enriched by her strength, wisdom, and unconditional love. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her four children: Angela (Christopher Ward), Alvin Williams, Bridgette (Derrick Parham), and Charles Williams (Kenya); and her eight grandchildren: Imani Ward (Wesley E. Dew II), Kristen Ward, Michael Brennan, Porchelle Williams, Christopher Williams, Travis Williams, and Tiffany Williams (children of Sonja Brennan), and Monte Ross (son of Alvin Williams); and her godchildren: Phalena Washington and Denita Montgomery. She also leaves a host of greatgrandchildren, two sisters, Deborah Howard and Winifred Frances (Gary); and one brother, Willie H. Jackson (Mary), along with many other relatives and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Emily and Willie Jackson; her spouses, Alvin S. Williams and Lester R. Taylor; her beloved sisters, Dolores Parham and Otelia Harrison; and her dear friend, Jackie Washington. 

Celestine’s legacy cannot be measured simply by the years she lived or the accomplishments she achieved, but by the lives she nurtured, the voices she uplifted, the dignity she protected, and the love she so freely gave. 

Her life was a testament to the belief that our greatest purpose is found in what we give to others. 

Though her earthly journey has come to an end, her spirit lives on in the children she helped shape, the families she strengthened, the elders she comforted, the communities she served, and the generations who will carry her love forward. 

She did not simply live among her community. She poured herself into it, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, advocacy, and service that will endure for generations.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA. In honor of our beloved mother and her beautiful spirit, we invite everyone to celebrate her life by wearing the colors of their favorite butterfly. This was her special request, and we ask that you join us in honoring her wishes by filling the room with the beautiful colors of butterflies.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Celestine Taylor kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Wellstar Foundation in her loving memory. Donations may be made online at: https://foundation.wellstar.org/giving-with-wellstar/ Donation acknowledgments, sympathy cards, and other expressions of love and support may be sent to: The Family of Celestine Taylor, 10825 Kilpatrick Lane, Glen Allen, Virginia 23059. The family sincerely appreciates your love, prayers, generosity, and thoughtful expressions of sympathy during this time of bereavement. 

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page.