Ripley "Rose Taylor" Fairchild

That pretty little girl, from the moment she exited momma’s womb, born August 1, 1967, birth name Rose Taylor, to later become Ripley Fairfield...Oh she was so Beautiful, that anyone crossed her path, just Loved that “Dazzling Smile”, that would light up a Room, and those Sparkling eyes, would just Steal your “Heart”.

“The Golden Child”

Rose “Ella Mae” Taylor, Momma Ba Ba gave her the name Ella Mae, after everyone in Seigle Community knew Rev. George and Mrs. Ella Mae Washington...She was one among many, a Trail Blazer, Prestigious, Loved and Respected.  Role models Rev. . Melvin and Mrs. Lillie Mae Franklin were another force to be Reckoned with.  Today’s time would be called Power Couples...

At an early age She accepted Christ at the Seigle Community Baptist Church  under the leadership of  Rev. James Tolliver.

Momma Ba Ba would take Rose (Ella Mae) to church every Sunday, to one day discover, after Rose was asked, if she wanted to sing a song and replied, "yes." Oh my God, it was at that time, the entire church was “Astonished”, when she opened her mouth.

That Powerful Anointed voice exited from that small frame.  The family didn’t realize, that not only, her presence was captivating, but her voice was definitely a “Gift from God.” She relocated to California with her mother

At the age of 15 , she was discovered by the renown Stephanie Mills.

When she became a teenager, 14 to 18 years of age, Mae is what I, Denise Green called her at that time Denise Jackson, married to Lawrence Jackson, with our 2 offsprings Tina and DeAngelo Jackson, would spend the summer with us...Tina and DeAngelo would count the days, until the end of school, waiting for Aunt Rose to get off the plane.  If, I’d be perfectly honest, Lawrence and I couldn’t wait as well.  You see, our church home was Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Shawnee Mission Kansas.  Pastor LeRoy Davis. Lawrence was the director of the choir, and I sang in the choir.  When I tell you that “Powerhouse of a voice, coming from that little frame, whenever she even walked to the mic, churches all over Kansas, had heard about “The Golden Child.”

I might as well continue being honest with you, Lawrence, Denise, Tina, and DeAngelo, stuck our chest out so far, you would have thought all 4 of us, was George Jefferson, you know him: All in the Family, then spin off “The Jefferson’s.  They thought we were celebrities...

That went on as I stated for 5 summers, but my little Mae grew up. By then she was so spoiled and rotten with that ‘Gift.” I would drop her off at the mall, telling her to call when she wants me to pick her up.  She never called and when I called, she “never” answered. We didn’t know how to deal with that nor even wanted to. I only had her for 3 months out of the year.  The other 9 months over the road our teachings.  She was becoming set in her ways, with the California life.  Walked into “Greatness”

She had a successful journey, performing for Kings and Queens, her talent took her places that the Masses will never “Witness.” One thing I knew, Rose (Ella Mae) Taylor aka Ripley Fairchild, never wavered on her “Faith” in God, which kept and carried her through this life, until Tuesday night October 3, 2023, at 10:22pm.  She’ll always be my Mae, Rest in Paradise, Your big sister “Denise.”

She was preceded in death by her dad, Elbert Taylor; mom, Lena Taylor; sister, Betty Wiley; brother, Edward Charles Taylor; grandmother, Lucinda Carr.  Grandfather, J.C. Carr

She leaves to cherish her memories 8 brothers: Elbert Taylor Jr., Johnny Taylor, Ray Evans, Michael Taylor, Derris Taylor, John Taylor, George Taylor, and Robert Andrews; 4 sisters: Denise Green, Lucinda Taylor, Debra Taylor, and Evelyn, Evans, Lena Taylor. A host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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