“Everyone wants the glory of standing on the highest mountain
top, but the valley’ s taught me lessons no mountain top could
ever” - Monica Taylor

Monica Taylor Richmond was born on June 9, 1975, to her parents, Ramona Ross and Richard
Taylor in Berkeley, California. Monica loved God. She followed by faith not by sight, and
accepted our Lord Jesus Christ into her heart at a very young age. Monica lived a beautiful,
dignified life. A discerning woman of exquisite taste, class, couth and charisma, Monica was
truly a 1 of 1 woman. She was her son’s hero, her sister’s keeper, her mother’s first born and her
late husband’s best friend; to others, she was a safe place to exist, a nurturing and loving earth
angel, and the best friend many have ever had. Monica created spaces to provide comfort and
solace while asking little in return.

Never one to settle, Monica, a lifelong learner, earned her Bachelor's Degree in Human
Development from Cal State Hayward, and was currently in the process of earning her MBA
from the University of Southern Indiana. Monica started her career at Kaiser Permanente nearly
25 years ago having earned multiple promotions; she was respected and revered amongst her
colleagues and entire staff, and ended her career as the Facility Operations & Support Services
Manager.

Despite her responsibilities, she never failed to be anything less than excellent as a mother;
exposing her son to a wealth of different opportunities that led to his acceptance to several top
HBCU’s, ultimately, deciding to pursue his study at Langston University. Monica’s family was
her pride and joy and she loved being a mother and granny to her grandson, Messiah. She shared
a bond with her son like none other and would always make parenting look easy, ensuring he had
access to the best of the best. Monica would, often, set herself on fire to keep others’ warm. She
would have it no other way. She was the rock of her family; the bridge that connected many,

both far and near, and a community Rock Star that has left a huge impact on every single one of
us in this room today. Monica believed in flexibility, ‘modifications’ and change. She valued
loyalty, honesty, and authenticity. She, truly, was cut from a cloth that is no longer
manufactured. A rare gem, indeed.

To her sister she leaves her kindness and her spirit of discernment. To her son, she leaves her
undying love and tenacious embodiment. To her daughters, she leaves her remarkable charm and
relentless determination. To her mother, she leaves her unfathomable gratitude and fearless faith
in God. To her nephew, she leaves her strength and wisdom of adaptability, To her cousins, she
leaves her poise and priceless memories . To her grandsons— she leaves her confidence and free
spirit; don’t ever be afraid to color outside the lines. The world is yours, grandsons! Monica will
be missed by us all.

Monica is preceded in death by her husband Andrae Richmond, father Richard Taylor, brother in
law Jonathan West, grandmothers Vesta Snowden and Dorothy Washington, grandfather Dr.
Jimmy L Ross, both her aunt Jaqueline’s, aunt Jennifer, uncle Andre, and cousin Romando.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her mother Ramona Ross, son Malik Jones, sister Monique
Taylor, grandsons Messiah and Mecca Jones, nephew Micah Slaughter, step daughters Patika,
Nakhira, Jayda and MiYave Richmond, bonus daughter Terrah Austin, godson Jessie King,
godmother Leslie Goodman, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.