Our beloved mother, Roma Anita Jones, affectionately known as "Lil Sister", slipped away peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. She was born on July 18, 1959, to James Pernell Taylor and Beatrice Juanita Taylor in Waverly, VA.

From a young age, she attended Liberty Baptist Church, where she was baptized and accepted Christ into her life.

Our mom was educated in the Sussex County Public School System, graduating with the Class of 1977. She went on to obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant license, where she worked in private duty and nursing facilities.  She later worked as a Direct Support Professional at Southside Virginia Training Center for over 10 years. From there, Roma accepted the role of Co-Owner & Administrator for Jones Home for Adults and Administrator for the Totty Place Adult Home.  In the Fall of 2018, Roma completed her associate's degree in medical assistance. She was second in her graduating class from Chester Career College -completing a lifetime accomplishment. While attending school, she was employed at Brighter Living Assisted Living in Hopewell, VA, where she worked as a Med Tech. Mom truly enjoyed her work and poured her soul into caring for many residents and fellow coworkers who were like family. Her work ethic was unmatched, and she remained there until her health declined.

For those who knew and loved her, "Lil Sister" was famous for her charismatic personality, endless jokes, and the best fried chicken, fried potatoes, and onions. She enjoyed dressing up with her slingback heels and "glad rags" to go dancing with her siblings and friends.  She was an avid reader and loved authors such as Maya Angelou and Terry McMillan. Our mother loved to research black history and share her thoughts about the injustices we experienced as a race.

Our mom was preceded in death by her father, James Pernell Taylor; and her treasured stepfather, Charles Alton Parham.

She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter, Brandy Rucker (Lawrence); son, Marquis Byrd; her mother, Beatrice Juanita Parham; two brothers, Ronnie Birchett (Hilda) and James Maurice Taylor; two sisters, Rose Thomas (Martin) and Etta Bullock (David); two grandsons, Jayden and Jorden Rucker; a beloved niece, Lyonetta "Nuke" Taylor, cherished uncle, Eddie Birchett, Jr.; her special friend and caregiver, Horace Parham; her best friend, Nancy King; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and genuine friends.

In gratitude, we would like to acknowledge her nurse and care team, LaChandra and Dee from VCU Health Bayada, who provided excellent care and compassion to our mother during her illness.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Empowerment Temple Ministries, 219 North County Drive, Waverly, VA, Pastor Terrence L. Green, Sr., Pastor and Bishop Troy Nevells, eulogist. The interment to follow at Waverly Cemetery.

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 or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5679613?fl=so&fe=fs