LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of The Reverend Delesta M.
Taylor Hassell, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her communi-
ty

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Delesta M. Taylor Hassell of Portsmouth, Virgi-
nia, died on Thursday, July 30, 2009, at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, Delesta M. Taylor was born on October 15, 1917, in Halifax,
North Carolina, to Willie R. and Addie P. Taylor; and
WHEREAS, As a young woman, Delesta M. Taylor relocated to New York
where she met and married Branon L. Hassell, a widower with six chil-
dren; together they had four children; and
WHEREAS, Early on, Delesta Taylor Hassell knew that her life's purpose
was missionary work and for more than 30 years, she answered that call
as a dedicated member of the United Missionary Baptist Association
Women's Auxiliary; and
WHEREAS, Delesta Taylor Hassell also served as a Deaconess, and was
President of the Macedonia Baptist Youth Convention; she diligently
visited the sick and shut-in, delivered communion to those who were
unable to attend church and brought words of comfort to those in need;
and
WHEREAS, After graduating from the White Plains School of Nursing,
Delesta Taylor Hassell served as a Staff Nurse at Lawrence Hospital,
Bronxville, New York, for 14 years; and
WHEREAS, Always eager to meld the academia with the vocation, Delesta
Taylor Hassell attended and graduated from the New York Theological
Seminary; she later graduated from Virginia Union School of Theology;
and
WHEREAS, A pioneer on many fronts, The Reverend Delesta Taylor Hassell
became the first woman licensed to preach the gospel at the Macedonia
Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York, where she served as an Associ-
ate Minister; and
WHEREAS, She continued her education as a matriculated student at the
College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, New York; The Reverend Delesta
Taylor Hassell was later ordained as a Baptist Minister under the lead-
ership of Dr. Thomas A. Venable, Pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church in
Norfolk, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 75, The Reverend Delesta Taylor Hassell earned
an Associate degree in Psychology from Tidewater Community College,
Chesapeake, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Delesta Taylor Hassell received numerous awards
and accolades, including a proclamation from the Westchester County
Board of Legislators citing April 26, 1985, as "Delesta Hassell Day" in
honor of her outstanding efforts of service to both the spiritual and
temporal needs of her fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, She was a member of the Westchester Black Ministers' Coali-
tion, serving as Chaplain for the Westchester Prison Ministry and a
member of the Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers' Conference; further-
more, she served on the Board of Directors for Gateway Transitional
Housing in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was an Associate Minister for the
Fruit of the Spirit Missionary in Norfolk, Virginia, from 2000-2009; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Delesta Taylor Hassell brought to her ministry
an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting her administrative and spiritual duties,

while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman of God always gave enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to her care and administered
abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all;
and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by her husband, Branon L. Hassell; daughters,
Dorothy, Geraldine, and Delores; son, Bernard; sisters, Addie, Carrie,
Mildred, and Esther; and brothers, William and Edward, The Reverend
Delesta Taylor Hassell is survived by sons, Leroy Douglas Hassell,
Donald F. (Beverly) Hassell, Esq.; daughters, Senator Ruth Hassell
Thompson, Reverend Carol (Nathaniel) Ligons, Melinda Williamson, and
Margaret (Glenn) DePena; a brother, James Taylor; and a host of grand-
children, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as
many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, The Reverend Delesta
Taylor Hassell leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage
of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all she served and
befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of The Reverend Delesta M. Taylor Hassell, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of The Reverend Delesta Taylor Hassell.