Je’Taun M. Taylor Maybellne’s first African American Face. Celebrating Black History Month, a tribute to a beautiful Lady, who should never be forgotten

Je’Taun M. Taylor ; Maiden name Je T’Aime Mason (origin of French word Je T’Aime, meaning “I Love You”.) 

She was born and raised in Chicago, IL at Cook County Hospital on August 8, 1923. Je’Taun was a very gorgeous, respectable, talented lady with a beautiful soul that shined through her heart of Gold. Her ample wittiness, and extremely broad sense of humor is what made her one of a kind. Je’Taun was all about succeeding and conquering your dreams.

 Her vivacious spirit, and distinguished determination is what led to her success, but her strong faith, willingness to give, and readiness to learn is what grounded her foundation and legacy. In the late 1930’s Je’Taun attended cosmetology school as well as receiving a certificate in Real Estate, while also venturing off into her own endeavors intending to capitalize off of her business ventures.

 Some of those ventures included modeling. She also enjoyed altering and modeling clothes. During that time period it was very hard, especially as a woman, to be recognized, considered, or even taken serious due to not only the societies cliche’ about how they portrayed women at the time, but as well as characteristic’s as simple as the color of her skin. She had to fight for what she wanted. She often stated that she had to be unique in an indifferent world, she had to make a difference, do something that made a statement, and make her mark in this world. She always talked about the promise land…I’m guessing it refers to all the sacred and anointed blessings God has promised each and every one of us.

 We all have our own unique gifts and talents that He only gave to us. While doing so she also made all her loved ones a believer of Christ, with a hopeful future. She grew up in a Christian home. Her grandmother, Ruth Brown, was a Christian Science Minister. Je’Taun carried her grandmothers strong christian faith on through many generations. She gave everyone she came into contact with hope, chance, encouragement, wisdom, and unconditional love just as God does.

 While yet building her modeling career, She had her first child Janice Jackson in 1941. Soon after starting her career, she gained a promising future in modeling with the well known makeup company Maybelline. She was ecstatic to form such a promising future doing exactly what she had wanted to do. She took great joy in modeling for Maybelline. Her career continued to advance with Maybelline, as well as the few business ventures she did with Christian Dior.
 After becoming a bit more successful She then met and married Henry C. Taylor the Vice President of REO movers and van lines, Inc in Chicago, IL. Henry C. Taylor was the brother of Robert Rochon Taylor, 

 Taylor, Robert Rochon (1899–1957) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed The first African American Chairmen of Chicago Public Housing who is the great-grandfather of 

Valerie Jarrett (Senior Advisor of President Obama) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Jarrett, and son of 

Robert Robinson Taylor Robert Robinson Taylor – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia the First African American Architect to Graduate MIT.

 After they married she then had her last two children Cherie J. Taylor in 1953 and Joseph Taylor in 1960 her oldest being 12 at the time. All while raising her three children, helping to keep up a household she still managed to pursue her modeling career. She continued modeling until shortly after the death of her 6 month old son in 1961 due to pneumonia. Proceeding her mourning she discontinued her modeling career and decided to dedicate her career path to Realty, so she could spend more time with her family and children. Her husbands business had became very successful during that time, so after working for Travis Realty Group in Chicago, IL for a little under a decade, her first grandchild La’Shaun M. Taylor was born in 1971, where Je’Taun then decided to retire her busy career life at the age of 48 and became a successful stay at home mom. Her and Henry traveled a lot and continued to raise their grandchildren, and her great grandchildren, while continuing to teach and apply the same methods she learned during her successful career path.

 After a few years of success with the REO business Henry then sold his proportion in the business, retired and bought a lounge named The Hide Away in Vandalia, Michigan where he and Je’Taun bought a retirement home in Three Rivers, Michigan. In 1984 Je’Taun suffered another loss of her oldest daughter Janice Jackson due to a tragic house fire. Despite her continuous trials and tribulations, Je’Taun still managed to find beauty in the ashes.

 She lived by the famous Bible scripture “Weeping may endure for the night, but Joy cometh in the morning” -Psalm 30:5… 

Proceeding Janice’s tragic death 3 short years after Je’Taun and the Taylor family received another heart wrenching loss. Henry C. Taylor passed away on February 16th 1987 two days before his 75th birthday due to a heart attack. Leaving only Je’Taun, her daughter Cherie, her grandchild La’Shaun and great-granddaughter Joyce J. Taylor here with us. The Taylor family decided to stick together.

 They stayed in Michigan for another decade where her great grandchild La’Shaun married and had 5 children. In 2003 Je’Taun and the Taylor Family proceeded to move back to Her home state in Chicago IL. where they moved into a southern suburb and continued to make ends meet. While raising her grandchildren,

 Je’Taun passed down her many talented gifts such as sewing, modeling, making clothes, designing, and her many cosmetology tatics. She always said don’t show the world what you been through by how you look, show them with actions…always look your best, forgive never forget, and love conquers all sin.

 She left behind unforgettable lessons and a golden legacy to live by. In 2008 at the age of 85, Je’Taun suffered from a stroke that left her paralyzed on the whole right side of her body.

 Thus, causing her grandchildren to step up and extend the same love that was once given. Although some of her independence was altered, her grandchildren still often caught her applying her makeup and perming her hair. 
 After 5 years of enduring the effects that the stroke caused, on September 12, 2013 Je’Taun proceeded in passing onto a better place.

 She leaves behind her daughter Cherie Taylor, her grand daughters La’Shaun Taylor, Michia Casebier and Kimberly Hicks, as well as her great-grandchildren Joyce Taylor, Antonio Taylor, Charde’ Haynes-Taylor, Chane’ Haynes-Taylor, Thomeshia Muse, Jadai Echols, and Juanita Echols who all reside in Chicago IL as of 2016.

 Lessons she passed on— Stand up and make a name for yourself! Capitalize off your talents. She lived by love, and always kept the faith and respect of Jesus Christ no matter how burdened the suffering. One thing she often said that we all should live by is: You can have it all, then lose it all, and then you’ll have nothing…but as long as you keep God you’ll always have everything.