Delilah Diane Tayloe

Delilah (Dedee) Diane Tayloe

Delilah Diane Tayloe, a mother, grandmother, sister, and a friend, along with being a scholar, curator, and advocate for cultural preservation, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Marble Hill, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. Born on April 16, 1952, in Ft. Leonard Wood, Pulaski County, Missouri, Delilah leaves behind contributions to American history, ethnic studies, and the preservation of cultural heritage. She called many places home, including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and of course her native Missouri.

Delilah (Dedee) had a passion for art, along for history and cultural preservation. She attended Kirkwood, Lindberg, and Ritenour High Schools before pursuing her academic endeavors at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she studied Animal Behavior. Later, she continued her education at Southeast Missouri State University, specializing in Historic Preservation and Archaeology.

Throughout her career, Delilah held various leadership positions, including Executive Director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. Under her guidance, the council flourished, offering a diverse range of arts programming and exhibitions that enriched the cultural landscape of the region.

Delilah's commitment to preserving local history and heritage extended beyond her work with the Arts Council. She played an important role in developing museums and cultural sites across Missouri, serving as exhibit director, curator, and consultant for institutions such as the University Museum at Southeast Missouri State University, the River Heritage Museum, the Stars & Stripes Museum Library, the Sikeston Depot Historical & Cultural Center, the Ripley County Historical Society and Museum, and several others.

In addition to her professional achievements, Delilah was an author. Her publication titled "House Types of the Tayloe’s, 1638-1940: An Example of Early-American Cultural Diffusion from the Virginia Tidewater to Southern California" exemplified her dedication to advancing the understanding of American cultural history.

Delilah is survived by her loving family, including her sons Adrian Sierkowski, Ezekiel Brooks with his children Ember Blue Brooks and Auhgman Tayloe Brooks, and Jeriel Malachi Brooks with his children Ariana Elizabeth Brooks, Naomi River Brooks, and Jenica Malilah Brooks, along with her sister Dawn Welch of Florida, her brother Rob Tayloe of Missouri, and her brother Brad Tayloe of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert (Bob) Tayloe and Sybil June (Pat) Wigglesworth, as well as her brother Doug Tayloe.

Many of her friends and family members have shared that they remember Dee being “fearless and always open to adventure, very passionate and with a warm smile and heart”, “treasured nature and riding her horse in the country by the family farm near Owensville”, and “loved riding bikes because she said it was the closest thing to riding a horse”. Dee was described as being “of many talents, very sweet, caring and loving”, and “we loved her as she loved our family”, and that “she loved God, adventure, people, and enjoyed life,” as “she was just such a beautiful soul”. “Dee was a beautifully unique individual, with a free spirit that will be missed.”

Delilah's passion for preserving history and promoting cultural understanding has left part of her passion on the communities she served. Her legacy will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A memorial service to honor Delilah's life and contributions will be held at a later date, with her ashes spread across the Country, nurturing trees and life with the remains of her own.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association (http://www.LBDA.org), the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri (https://www.capearts.org/donate), or Defenders of Wildlife (https://defenders.org/) in Delilah Tayloe's memory.

Following from Ezekiel

"Dear mom, you are missed immeasurably, and you are loved for all of eternity. You fought so fervent, and valiantly. Your son's seeking and believing every day that there must be a way for you to be healed, and cured. You have returned to God, magnificently dignified. And though to us it seems sudden, and unwarranted, your heavenly spirit had an essential appointment with our Creator. The Curer of All Existence. There is peace to be found in knowing that you are with God now, and no-longer suffering at all. You are well and deeply missed by many here. Though we know everyone there is so happy to see you again, and in your Angelic form. You prayed to God regularly, and i will always remember this. And all your humble prayers to God, are now directly heard. You have influenced the hearts and lives of so many during your journey through life. Mom, we are so truly honored of your determination and integrity, of all the amazing accomplishments you have made, all that you have done for others, for our family, and for us. Thank you for all of the wondrous and blessed years that you decided to share life and memories with us. You are always at home in our hearts. You live on there, in heaven, and in our memories. And to have you present in our lives, is truly a miracle not to ever be taken for granted. "

Following from Malachi

She talked to the butterflies in the trees

She whispered to the birds and the bees.

Shes a warrior queen of a flock of sheep,

Protector of heart and truth indeed...

What a beautiful soul of love increased

Now swimming in rivers above in peace

The depths of your love will never cease

 A lovely daughter of the Prince of Peace

Your spirit now goes into everlasting

Under our Creator's wings in your passing

Your physical life was just a test

Royalty forever Delilah is blessed

A candle is lit with eternal flame

Shining bright as a flower in Yeshuas name.

We are not forgetful nor unaware

We saw an angel when we caught your stare.

You're now forever in His light

An eternal flame shining bright

I'll see you in the sunsets and whisper to the trees 

I'll bet you're dancing with butterflies and singing praises with the bees

I love you mom, eternally.