Lela Mae Brown Taylor "Tootsie", 72, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Visitation will be 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Friday, January 9, 2026 at Carlisle Funeral Home with funeral service following in the Chapel at 2:00pm.

Lela was a loving mother, sister, and friend. She adored spending time with her family, but she also loved to read. Lela was also a long time employee of the EP Mart in Tarboro.

Lela was preceded in death by parents, Raymond Brown and Helen Whitehurst; and siblings, Sonny Brown, Carolyn "Shug" Merritt, and Helen Darlene Lynn.

She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Taylor and Christina Ellis; grandchildren, Justin Cockrell, Trinity Close, James Bowen, and Tyler Bowen; great grandchildren; brother, Linwood "Timmy" Brown; and many nieces, nephews, and family friends.