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
I offer my condolences and prayers to the family of Mrs. Ermal. She was ALWAYS good to my sisters and I when we were kids passing by her house. Mrs. Ermal was definitely and woman of class, dignity, honor and her family was blessed to have her for so long. To God Be The Gory for the great things He has done. May Mrs. Ermal’s crown be as beautiful as she was. Blessings to you all.
Dear Family,
It is with our sincere and deepest heartfelt condolences that my Mother and I extend, out to you all. Aunt Ermal was a Mighty and precious Woman of God and the true Matriarch of the family. I remember her as being such a wise woman, with great strength, fun, classy, full of life, courage and perseverance. She dearly loved and treasured her family, friends and she had such a giving and loving heart and she always shared a deep compassion for others. She will be dearly missed, by us all. We send out our prayers to you all: May the God of all comfort, strengthen you, heal your broken heart, grant you peace and love, and that the Lord will, continue to be with you all daily. Love Carmen, Venie and family.
Ermal was such a lovely woman and such a great friend. She will be sorely missed and always loved ..Love Ilene
To the family of Mrs. Ermal Royal,
May God bless and comfort you during this difficult time.
Mrs. Royal was a true blessing to her family, friends and all who knew her. She will surely be missed.
With deepest sympathy,
Tracine, Marc and Ebony Gilliam
Weirton, WV.
Darlene and family I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and know that GOD has your Mom in his loving arms.
Rest In Peace Mrs Royal. The Deena family is saddened. We have so many great “ Mrs Royal” stories of love. We are grateful that she chose to love us and thankful for the moments she gave us. Mrs Royal was a rider, supporting my career and family. Lucky me, Lucky Us. Prayers to you all. Thank you for sharing her with the World.
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Ermal. I was one of her “adopted” daughters; we worked together at Marshall Field’s Department Store. I was fresh out of college and looking for a job so I ended up at Marshall Fields when the store first opened. Ermal showed me the ropes and how to sell clothes and instant credits, which provided many lunches for us both since we were paid $5 for each one we got. She would find something for anyone that came in and said “See Angie, I found just what they needed”. We became friends and she even had me over to her house for dinner several times and my husband as well years later. What a great cook she was, her sweet potato pie was the best my husband still says. She also was someone who loved the Lord. She is with him now and I look forward to seeing her again there. I just happened to find a card that she had sent to me years ago and I searched to see if she was still with us. So sorry for your loss but Ermal gave us all lots of love to remember her by.