Mercedes Metz Taylor

Mercedes Metz Taylor transitioned peacefully on September 15, 2024, at her home in the presence of her two sons, William, Jr. and Patrick. 

Mercedes was born and reared on a small farm in Jeanerette, Louisiana on January 26, 1930, to the late Oscar Thomas Metz and Viola Ann (Barabin) Metz. Her parents and family were loving and supportive of her efforts to succeed. Her road to achievement started at Jeanerette Colored High School where she graduated salutatorian of her small class of 13 and matriculated to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Still determined to succeed, she worked as a student librarian at the university where she supplemented her parents’ resources to maintain her college stay. After graduating from Southern University, her educational journey went as follows: Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University and a Master of Science in Library Science from Louisiana State University. She also pursued graduate work at other universities: UCLA, Cal State Northridge, Pepperdine, Chapman College, USC, and other training programs and workshops.

After culminating a seven-year courtship, in 1957, Mercedes accepted the hand of marriage to William (Bill) Taylor, Sr.; ironically, their courtship began in the library of Southern University. In 1962, they arrived in the Mojave Desert, specifically the Antelope Valley, where William worked for the Department of Defense at Edwards Air Force Base. She brought her expertise in library science with her.

As a result of Mercedes’ experiences of being the first African American librarian, this caused others to be led by the following:

• After desegregation, she was one of the first admitted to the School of Library Science at Louisiana State Universityin Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• She was the first African American librarian hired in the Muroc School District at Edwards Air Force Base where her students included the children of test pilots and astronauts.
• She was the first African American librarian hired in the Antelope Valley Union High School District at Antelope Valley High School where she implemented the library’s first African American book collection; her service there expanded from 1966 to 1969.
• Fulfilling one of her childhood dreams of becoming a college professor, she was the first African American librarian hired at Antelope Valley College. Her tenure was long-lived as a reference librarian.
  
  

Her passion for education was evident as she worked with students from kindergarten to college level for thirty-five years; many of whom came from the bayous of Louisiana, South Central Los Angeles, and the Antelope Valley.

Post-retirement achievements included teaching parenting classes for the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale and working with at-risk children for the Los Angeles County Board of Education.

Organizational Affiliations: A member of the Lancaster United Methodist Church, where she was associated with several church programs; a founding member of the Antelope Valley Juliettes in 1966; a former member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society of Women Educators; a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for seventy-three years; she was a charter member of the Lancaster (CA) Alumnae Chapter, but she also chartered other Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated chapters; a member of the California Retired Teachers Association; and also a member of the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center.

Mercedes was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar Thomas Metz and Viola Ann Barabin Metz; her beloved husband of 60 years, William C. Taylor, Sr.; her granddaughter, Zoe Simone Taylor; her siblings, Leon Metz, Sr., Gladys Metz, Victoria Ruby Santifer-Burdine, Audrey M. Gabriel, Earl Metz, and Mary M. Givens. 

Leaving to cherish her precious memories and loving kindness are sons, William C. Taylor, Jr. and Patrick Adam Taylor; brother-in-law, Warren Taylor (Ethel); and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.