Left, Lula Taylor accepting the Daughters of the American Revolution Women in American History Award from Carolyn Volk, Jamestown chapter agent, during a ceremony in June 2008. Taylor, who was the first African American Woman county legislator in the state of New York, died Tuesday at UPMC Chautauqua WCA. P-J file photo

The first African American woman county legislator in the state of New York and longtime Jamestown resident has died.

Lula Taylor died Tuesday at the age of 89 at UPMC Chautauqua WCA. Taylor began her first of seven terms on the Chautauqua County Legislature in 1992 representing District 11, which serves the north side and parts of the west and north east sides of the city.

Along with being a legislator, Taylor served on several boards, commissions and community groups which included the Chautauqua County Health Board, the Health Network Advisory Board and Office of the Aging Advisory Board. She also worked for 20 years at Proto Tool, a division of Ingersoll-Rand Company.

Lula, along with her husband, Vivian, received the John D. Hamilton award for community service in 2007. Together, the Taylors founded the Chautauqua County Black History Committee, chaired the Jamestown Interracial Forum, attended Blackwell Chapel AME Zion Church and both received several awards and honors for their dedication to the community and county.

One of Taylor’s mentors was Jamestown City Councilwoman Vickye James, Ward 3. James followed Taylor as the representative for District 11 in the county legislature. She said that Taylor helped her during her first campaign in 2005.

“When we were campaigning, (Taylor) was unbelievable,” James said. “She was like an Eveready battery. She was like the (Energizer battery) bunny. She would want to hit every door, even when it was raining and nasty out. She was so excited to go door-to-door to see everyone.”

James also said when she was working at Love Elementary School, the Taylors would give history presentations to the school students during Black History Month.

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, who worked with the Taylors for many years, said she was community royalty and an icon. He said the Taylors were more friends and family than they were public service associates, Vivian Taylor served on the Jamestown City Council for more than 23 years.

“She was not only family to me, but a role model over the years,” he said. “She was a very special lady. She was genuinely one of the nicest ladies I’ve ever met. Chautauqua County and Jamestown are better places today because Lula and Vivian moved here from North Carolina in the 1950s.”