Ermal Royal

Ermal Lorethea Taylor Royal received her wings on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Mt. Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. She was born on June 26, 1930 in Wellsburg, West Virginia to the late George and Mamie Marie McKissick-Taylor.  Ermal attended Lincoln High School in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 1946, she was joined in holy matrimony with the late William Royal, Sr.  Out of this union, she had 8 children.  Ermal was a devoted mother and wife.  She exuded the joys of motherhood and played an active role in her children’s lives.

Ermal’s first job was at Gaudio’s Supermarket in Steubenville, Ohio.  She worked there for 10 years and provided an exemplary level of customer service.  Her bubbly, infectious, and straight-forward personality allowed her to gain many friendships with co-works and customers.  Because Ermal had a love for fashion and quality clothing, she decided to leave the grocery store business and transition to a career in fashion consulting.  The start of her fashion consultant career began with Carlisle’s Department Store in Steubenville, Ohio where she received many customer service awards and certificates.  In the early 1980’s, Ermal moved to Columbus, Ohio to continue her fashion career at Madison’s Department Store, Country Old Miss and Hill Department Store.  She retired from Marshall Field’s Department Store with stellar awards for sales and service.   After retirement, she had such a love for interacting with people on a daily basis, so she decided to work part-time at United Way and CAMACO. She also volunteered many hours with the Faith Mission Shelter cooking and serving food to the homeless.

Ermal become a devoted Christian as a young woman.  She was a member of Henderson Chapel AME Methodist Church in Wellsburg, West Virginia.  After moving to Columbus, Ohio, she became a dedicated member at World Harvest Church serving in several ministries such as the Usher Ministry, Partners in Ministry, Pastoral Care Ministry, and the Inner City Breakthrough Prayer Line Ministry.  She traveled to many different states with her prayer partners to attend and serve as a volunteer at the TD Jakes and Benny Hinn Conferences.  She was a regular church attendee until her health limited her ability to no longer go to church in person.  However, she faithfully watched TBN, and honored the Lord until her last breath.

Ermal was a classy, jazzy, godly, and well-dressed woman. She was known for her humorous, sarcastic, loving, and straight forward personality.  More than anything, she loved and adored her family and those she adopted into her family. Ermal had an infectious spirit that drew people from all walks of life, and she was not a stranger to anyone.   Ermal enjoyed shopping, traveling, talking, cooking, and reminiscing about old times.  To name a few, her favorite sayings were, “Don’t complain about what you permit”, “You gained a little weight”, “That sure is sharp”, and “God promised he would take care of you!”

Ermal was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mamie Marie McKissieck-Taylor; Loving husband, William Royal, Sr.; Sons William Royal, Jr. and William Wesley Royal; Great grandson, Bailey Wesley; Brothers Walter Taylor, George Taylor, Jr., Earl Taylor, and Ray Taylor; Sister Cleopatra Wray.  She leaves to cherish in her memory daughters, Darlene (Larry) Edwards of Worthington, Ohio, Dorethea Ingram of Brunswick, Ohio, Vonda Deus of Bluffton, Indiana, Stephanie (Derek) Gilliam of Columbus, Ohio; Sons Steven Hicks of Mesa, Arizona, Dwayne Royal of Maricopa, Arizona, and Stepson Kenneth Robinson of Washington, DC; Adopted daughters, Kimberly Day of Reynoldsburg, Ohio and Dana Fernandez of Dayton, Ohio; Special daughters, Linda Donnell and Linda McClean; 27 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren; Special nieces, Delores Davis and Phyllis McAllister; Special nephews, Randall and Larry Taylor; Special relatives, Jerome Sullivan and Dana Davis; Special friends, Andrea Swanson and her 3 neighborly angels, Sandy, Betty, and Colleen; a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and other extended family and friends.

Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Christian Valley Baptist Church , 3330 Scottwood Rd. Mask and Social Distancing are required.

Interment at Highland Hills Cemetery in Follensbee WV