Anne Perry Taylor

Cornelia Anne Perry Kessler Taylor (Anne) age 75, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024 at Forest Ridge Assisted Living in West Jefferson, NC after a 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s. She showed courage, strength, and resolve to the very end. 

Anne was a warm, kind, gracious, respectful, down-to-earth Southern lady. She had a warm smile, infectious laugh and a strong sense of humor. She was also a smart, hardworking professional who was very successful in her business career. Anne’s love of dogs and cats was huge. She never met a stray she did not like and was a loving mom to all of her many “fur babies”. 

Anne was born in Concord, NC to Sidney and Coleen Perry. Her father’s job took her to a number of towns during childhood, but Concord was always her home. She was a devoted Concord “Spider”. Anne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a bachelor's degree in Spanish. She was also a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. Anne’s 33-year career in the securities industry led her to become the senior vice-president of a major IT company. She also served on the Board of Advisors for the Bank of New York Melon. Anne was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church where she served many roles on the church’s various committees and sang in the Chancel Choir. She enjoyed taking care of pets, traveling, music, especially “beach music”, shagging, taking naps, and the daily NY Times crossword puzzles. 

Anne was preceded in death by her father Sidney, mother Coleen, sister Kathy and previous husband Donald Kessler. She is survived by her husband of 41 years Vernon Taylor, brother Sidney Perry of Concord,NC, cousin Vickie Furr of Mount Airy, NC, nieces Jennifer Korpela of West Allis, Wisconsin, Kristen Drury of Fayetteville, NC, and various other great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her two special dogs Moses and Lacey. 

Thank you to all the caregivers who looked after Anne for the past 12 years. A special thank you to Edith Weiss, Anne’s part-time in-home caregiver for 3 ½ years and the entire staff of Forest Ridge Assisted Living including Rosie Osborne, Jane Testerman, Jordan Mahala, and Danielle Taylor. Laurie, Becca, Courtney, Chelsea, and Sandy from Amorem Hospice also provided loving care during Anne’s last months. Reverend Dr. Billy Norris of Amorem Hospice was an inspiration to both Anne and Vernon.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00 am at Bethany United Methodist Church by Ministers Nikki Ray Rice, Rev. Owen Peeler and Rev. Dr. Billy Norris.  Committal services will follow at the Bethany Columbarium.

The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 am one hour prior to the service.

Memorials can be made in Anne’s memory to Amorem Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to CART Fund (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust), c/o Rotary Club of Ashe County, PO Box 1045, Jefferson, NC 28640.