RICHMOND — Mary Louise Hughes Taylor of St. Mary’s Woods Retirement Community in Richmond died peacefully on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015.  She was born Sept. 5, 1918 in Elizabeth City, N.C. and was the daughter of the late Mary Love Hughes and Jerry Jones Hughes.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Sid Taylor, her sister, Geraldine Hughes Martin, and her son-in-law, Fredrick Dietzmann Geissler.

Mary Louise was a long time resident of Smithfield, moving to Richmond in 2014.  She graduated from Women’s College (University of N.C. Greensboro) in 1940 with a BS in secretarial administration.  Among her places of employment was the Naval Air Station in Elizabeth City, N.C. where she met her husband Sid during WWII.  She retired from her position as church secretary at Trinity United Methodist Church in Smithfield in 1991.

Affectionately known as “Squeezer,” “Weese,” “G’mo” and “Gigi,” Mary Louise had a wonderful gift of imagination which endeared her to children of all ages.  Her wry sense of humor and meticulous secretarial skills were greatly appreciated by all her employers and family members.

Survivors include her daughter, Beverly Taylor Geissler; grandsons, Fritz Geissler (Colleen Manion), and Phillip Geissler (Rebecca Overacre); great-grandsons, Samuel, Carter and Charlie Geissler; nephew, Jerry Martin (Jane) and Jeanne Grasperge (Claude.)

Graveside services will be held at noon on Dec. 5, at St. Luke’s cemetery in Smithfield with the Rev. Robert Cofield officiating.  A reception will follow the committal service at Colonial Funeral Home, Carrollton.

The family expresses sincere thanks to the staff at St. Mary’s Woods Retirement Community, Bon Secours Hospice and Jewish Family Services, Richmond for their compassionate care.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the music program at River Road Baptist Church, 8000 River Road, Richmond, VA 23229 or to Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 Cedar St., Smithfield, VA 23430.

Service arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, Carrollton, Smithfield, Isle of Wight and the surrounding communities.  Family and friends are encouraged to share condolences and remembrances at colonialfuneralhomesmithfield.com.