Selma Godley Taylor, 91, of Sublime, passed away May 18, 2014. She was born to Selma Warren and Leonard Stevens of Brown Chapel on October 17, 1921. Official school records from the Lavaca County School Census documented her birth date as September 7, 1922. She was adopted in infancy by Louis and Lizzie Robinson of Sublime. She lived her entire life on the Robinson homestead in Sublime.

Selma attended elementary school at the Sublime Colored School. She accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of J. H. Bell. She was a faithful member and served as church treasurer and nursery school teacher for many years. She was active in the Parent Teacher Association while her children were in school. She was also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Queen of Sheba Order of Easter Star.

Selma was united in marriage to Emmitt Godley on August 3, 1937. To this union, seven children were born. Following the death of Brother Godley on October 19, 1957, she married Dave Taylor on June 16, 1959.

Selma was well known in the Sublime community. She worked many years as maid in private homes of Sheridan and Sublime. She was an avid gardener and her yard is filled with beautiful flowers and collectible artifacts. Her beautiful handmade quilts, handkerchiefs and doilies were distributed nationwide and to foreign missions. Her tea cakes were legendary and a favorite at church functions.

Selma has travelled the breadth of this country from New York to California, from Florida to Washington State with her children. In later years, she enjoyed day trips to historical sites and events in Texas. She loved going to church and every Sunday would find her in her church or visiting others. Her daily companions were five to eleven cats.

Selma leaves to cherish her memory: three children Elgria (Gracie) Godley of San Antonio, Elaine G. Williams of Sublime and Emeta (Charles) Gibson of League City; Seven grandchildren – Anthony Dwayne Rufus, Emmitt Eugene Godley, Kevin La Juan (Veronica) Godley, Elgria DeLaune Godley, Jameelah McVeal, Charles Allen Gibson, Jr. and David Taylor James Gibson; seven great-grandchildren – Chawanna Nicole Bethany, Jolessa Kay Smith, Mygenea Lee Godley, Sean Edward Godley, Kassidy Denice Godley,Terry Lamon Robinson, Jr. and Terrilin Jecole Robinson; two great-great grandchildren, one sister– Johnnye Brendolyn Cunningham and a host of other relatives and friends.

Selma was preceded in death by her husbands, Emmitt Godley and Dave Taylor; her daughter Lilly Alyce Rufus; her sons – L. C. Godley, Emmitt Godley Jr. and Louis Godley; stepson Horace Sauls: grandson James G. Rufus, Jr; great granddaughter Diamond Rebecca Alexander Washington; foster sister Della Walker, sister Verna Veal and parents Selma Cunningham ad Leonard Stevens.

Funeral Service: 11 am, Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the Eason Building at 411 South Dowling of Hallettsville. Visitation: 5:30 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Emmett Godley, Kevin Godley, Anthony Rufus, Terry Robinson Jr., Robert Goode, and David Gibson. Burial: Good Hope Cemetery.