Media specialist helped Blackville students soar to success

Donna Taylor went above and beyond to help students soar to success.

The long-time media specialist at Blackville-Hilda High School (BHHS) passed away on Sunday, July 2 at the age of 68. She taught for more than 26 years, including since 2003 at BHHS.

“Mrs. Taylor was an amazing woman with a heart of gold. She was always doing for others, regardless of what she had going on,” said BHHS Principal Christina Snider.

A native of Allendale who lived in Williston, Taylor started her education career as a middle school keyboarding teacher and seventh grade reading teacher before transitioning to a media specialist. She interned at the Williston-Elko media center before being hired in Blackville.

“She was very bright, kind, and caring. I knew then she would make an excellent media specialist and was so happy to hear she was working at Blackville-Hilda,” said Cathy Smith, the career specialist at Williston-Elko High.

Retired Blackville-Hilda Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Andy Sandifer hired Taylor after long-time media specialist Martha Singletary Moore Ward moved to France. “Donna came in and became a full-fledged Hawk. She was a dedicated employee and will be greatly missed. Her family will remain in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.

Barnwell County Consolidated School District Interim Superintendent David Corder witnessed Taylor’s caring nature from the moment they met in 2003. At the time, he was principal of Blackville-Hilda Junior High.

“Donna was passionate about books and reading, but the most wonderful thing about her is how much she cared about our students. Donna would often stay after school tutoring students who were struggling in their classes. She did this without any additional compensation and many times without any thanks or recognition from the administration,” said Corder. She also ran the credit recovery program in the summer and stayed one evening every week so alternative school students could check out books.

As a colleague and former boss, Corder appreciates how Taylor enjoyed helping her co-workers, including taking a class when a substitute could not be found or helping teachers find resources for lessons. As a father, he said he appreciates how Taylor treated his own children when they were at BHHS. His son, David Jr., was Taylor’s student assistant his senior year and is now an educator in Williston.

Her dedication and compassion were appreciated and recognized by students and colleagues.

“Donna Taylor was a special educator who took pride in serving the students at Blackville-Hilda. She was stern but put a lot of love and care in her service,” said Michael Beasley, former BHHS principal.

Former student Shidaa Mincy remembers Taylor as a “sweet-hearted person” who helped her when she needed assistance writing papers to get into dental school. “She inspired me through life and always said never give up, you got this! I did just that! I made it through successfully!” said Mincy.

“She was the most soft-spoken woman ever. Her voice never raised above a whisper, even when she was serious. She always wore rosy cheeks and a light smile. At lunch time, we would all go to the concession stand to get snacks and then to the library to congregate. Even though we had no business being there, Mrs. Taylor did not put up a fight, and she let us sit there and lollygag until the bell rang. She has touched many lives at Blackville-Hilda High in a positive way,” said former student Essence Grant.

Sybrenda Holiday, a retired technology coach for the former Blackville Public School District 19, worked with Taylor for many years. The two became close friends. That friendship was evident in 2010 after Holiday and her children were in a terrible car accident that almost proved fatal for her oldest son, James Wilton Holiday.

“He was one of her favorite students and she always spoke highly of his intelligence, humble manner and always being a gentleman. When she found out his status and we were told he might not make it, Donna called and told me of her concern. She said to me, ‘Sybrenda, I’ve done something that I have never done before, I got down on my knees and I prayed and I asked God to save Wilton‘s life. I told God that he is such a kind, humble, gentle-loving young man and if you would give him a chance to live a little longer, I would try to be a better Christian.’ She said she got up off of her knees and she felt confident that God was going to do it.”

They both rejoiced when God did just what Taylor asked – He healed Wilton.

When Taylor wasn’t in the media center, she could be found at school athletic events, said Beasley, who served as BHHS athletic director for many years.

“Mrs. Taylor was the face of athletic events, taking up tickets for all games. She knew everyone that came through the doors or gates,” said Snider.

Corder said he believes she just loved being at the high school and around the students.

“Donna would have been able to retire at the end of this past school year, but she decided to stay because of her dedication to our students. She knew how hard it is to find a media specialist. It breaks my heart when I think that she didn't get to enjoy her retirement, but I think she would not change anything if she could,” said Corder.

Though Taylor’s loss is felt by many, her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched.