Melsada Mandrie Taylor

Melsada Mandrie Taylor, 81, of Mt. Airy, Maryland, peacefully passed on Saturday October 5th, 2024, surrounded by her family. 

Melsada was born in Belfield, St. Mary, Jamaica on March 30th, 1943, to the late John and Alice Mandrie. Melsada spent most of her life living in Jamaica being a mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She was a manager of a supermarket in Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica, before permanently moving to Kingston to continue building her family. In Kingston she became an independent trucking contractor until she retired, the first female trucking contractor at the time. She would spend her time after she retired traveling to Maryland and Pennsylvania to visit her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild living there. 

Melsada was a member of the Boulevard Ward in Kingston, Jamaica of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Melsada enjoyed serving in the church and serving her church family. 

Melsada was preceded in death by her son Ian Onfroy and husband Hermal Taylor.

Melsada is survived by her daughter Jacqueline Andrews (Mt. Airy, MD), son Courtney Fennell and wife Marlene (Buff Bay, Jamaica), son Kevin Howell and wife Shannon (Biglerville, PA), and son Oniel Howell and wife Cheryl (Urbana, MD), eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three sisters and two brothers.

The family will welcome friends on Friday, October 11th from 5pm-8pm at Stauffer Funeral Home & Chapel, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd, Mt. Airy, Maryland. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 12th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 7255 Ridge Road, Mt. Airy, Maryland, beginning at 1pm. A viewing will be held prior from 12pm-1pm.

Interment will take place following the service in Pine Grove Cemetery, 787 South Main St, Mt. Airy, Maryland.