Taylor Cheyenne Staley
3/6/1998 - 12/21/2025
With profound sorrow, we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Taylor Cheyenne Staley, age 27, of Sophia, North Carolina, on December 21, 2025.
Taylor was born on March 6, 1998, to Deanna Saunders and David “Zach” Staley, both of whom preceded her in death. From a young age, Taylor demonstrated remarkable strength and perseverance, meeting life with determination, compassion, and an unwavering devotion to those she loved.
She was a graduate of Randleman High School and worked diligently to build a meaningful career as a pharmacy technician, a role she took great pride in. She was actively furthering her education, motivated by her desire to build a better future for her family. Taylor was deeply optimistic and had a rare ability to see the best in people, offering grace, patience, and understanding to anyone she met.
Above all else, Taylor was a devoted mother. Her three-year-old daughter, Kingsly Rae Palacios, was the center of her world and the motivation behind everything she did. Together, she and Kingsly’s father, Anthony Palacios, poured their hearts into ensuring their daughter was surrounded by love, warmth, and opportunity.
Family was the center of Taylor’s life. She lovingly cared for her nephew, Kayden Saunders, as if he were her own son, and was immensely proud of him. She gracefully took on a role of responsibility beyond her years—caring for her family, hosting holidays, and ensuring that no one ever felt alone.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Kingsly Rae Palacios; her brothers Zackry Saunders (Mackenzie) and Jacob Staley (Alexis), and her sister Kortni Saunders. She was a proud aunt to Khalea, Navy, and Phoenix, Jacob’s children, and shared a deep bond with her grandmother Lucille Rush, who helped raise her and remained one of the most important people in her life.
Taylor had a large extended family and countless friends who loved her deeply. She was known for her beautiful spirit, kind heart, and fierce loyalty. She loved fully, gave selflessly, and lived for those she cared about. Her absence leaves an immeasurable void. Her love and legacy will endure through the many lives she touched—especially through her daughter.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 4:00 PM at South Plainfield Friends Meeting.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a trust fund established for Kingsly Rae Palacios, to support her future and honor Taylor’s greatest purpose—being her mother.
Though her life was far too short, Taylor Cheyenne Staley’s love, strength, and devotion will be remembered always.
You’re beautiful inside and out you earned you’re angel wings too soon you will be greatly missed and Never forgotten your’re daughter will always know how much she was loved and adored and cared for love you always cuzzo <3
You have always been so beautiful Taylor. We will always let your memory live throughout us! Kayden and Kingsly will always be taking care of. I know for a fact you were an angel on earth but you gained your guardian wings too soon. I love you and I’ve always rooted for you. I will do just the same for those kids 🩷
Your friend but like second family with love,
Allison, Shane, William and Kinsley Hadsock
It was always me, you, Kaila and Michelle ❣️ I hated school but I looked forward to seeing y’all 3 every day. All the laughs and sillyness. Our outside of school activities 😉 Taylor was so strong, over the years I loved watching her grow especially into the great mother she was. I’m going to miss seeing your beautiful face on my timeline and our little conversations. Rest easy 🪽🪽 praying for her family especially Jacob, Kingsley and Kayden ❣️
Taylor was always an amazing person and always so kind to me. When I had no one to talk to in school she would talk to me and reach out. She was a very giving person. Jacob I am so sorry to hear about Taylor’s passing.
I remember Taylor mainly through school she was always kind and always smiling I do remember that she had this bright light to her to where everyone gravitated to her she will be missed my heart hurts for her daughter and her family this was truly a heartbreaking loss my condolences are with everyone who knew her I’m so sorry may her light shine up in heaven
It was an honor to have met you sweet woman. To have been friends with you was remarkable. May you rest in everlasting peace.
Thank you for the memories, advice, and sunshine. 💕
She had the most contagious laugh & smile that could come across anyone. She had love for people she just came across no matter the timeline they knew her !! She definitely left her mark on anybody she met !! Forever 27 babygirl, we got Kingsly & Kayden from here 💔
Rest so peacefully my Tay Bae 😭🕊️
Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Taylor you were such a beautiful person with a great heart and a kind spirit. I am gonna truly miss you I am praying you knew how much I truly loved you.
Taylor, I can still see your sweet little face every time you walked in the hallways at New Market School! The hugs and Good morning Ms.Simmons I got from you!
Zach, Kortni and Jacob please know you all are in my prayers!
So sorry for the family loss …may our thoughts & prayers be with u all during this time
Taylor, you were such a beautiful person, inside and out. I remember our middle school trip to Washington, DC and we became so close on that trip. You were always there for me or for anyone who needed you, we grew apart but I will never forget you or the ray of sunshine that you were to so many people. Your family and friends will be in my prayers ❤️
The most beautiful person. I looked up to you in every single aspect. As a woman, a sister, and even more importantly a mom. You overcame so many obstacles and never once let anything knock you down. I will miss your beautiful smile the most, it lit up every room you walked into. Heaven has the prettiest angel there ever was. I was so lucky to have met you! ❤️
Taylor, you were truly the most beautiful soul. You were the most amazing mother to Kingsly, and the best person in every aspect. You deserve the absolute world, and I pray those golden gates welcomed you with open arms. Rest in Paradise gorgeous girl, your legacy will forever live on through all of us. ❤️
Taylor, it was never supposed to be like this. You were supposed to be here for all of Kingslys first. I know you’ll be watching over her and Kayden from up there. I promise Anthony won’t have to do it alone and we will make sure she knows how much you loved her every day. He’s still going to need you from up there, & I know you’ll guide him through all of life good and bad. We love you Tay❤️
Taylor was one of the strongest and most admirable people I have ever known. Despite the hardships she faced throughout her life, she remained determined to succeed and to overcome every obstacle placed in her path. More than anything, she wanted to be a loving, devoted mother to Kingsly and a positive role model for Kayden. She loved you both endlessly and would have gone to the ends of the earth for you without hesitation.
I can’t count the number of conversations Taylor and I shared over the years. She was always full of laughter, love, and unwavering support. Taylor would give the shirt off her back to help someone else, even when she was struggling herself. After losing her parents, she carried a heavy burden, and while I hate that peace came under these circumstances, it brings me comfort to know she is no longer suffering.
I love you more than words could ever express, Tay. Thank you for 17 years of memories—of laughter, cuddles, deep conversations, and unconditional friendship. You showed me a level of love and loyalty that few people ever experience. I pray that all of your pain has finally been laid to rest.
Kayden and Kingsly will always be taken care of. We promise. 🕯️🪽🤍
Taylor was a sweet and generous soul. She always knew how to make someone laugh, and her laugh is unforgettable. Taylor was a free-spirited, humble, loving and loyal person. She was the glue that held everyone in her family strongly together, with the weight of troubles she went through yet she held her head high and kept it pushing. All love Taylor, rest that beautiful soul of yours and rest assure that gorgeous baby girl will still be very loved and well cared for.❤️🕯️
Taylor was a sweetheart and a good kid.I cried when I head about Taylor Sunday morning.
Taylor we’ll be Miss
May you fly High and watch over us…
Shaun and Adrienne Bowman
I could say so many things but I’d wish you were here to hear them. Nevertheless, when you find and meet genuine people, you can tell…and they can too. There are no need for words but from the day we met you and Jacob, our families blended almost instantly and from that day a family is what we will always be. Thank you for sharing your life with us
sweet angel girl,
whether it was catching up over text, giggling over funny posts on facebook, talking about motherhood, or running into each other at the tanning bed. i’m so grateful to have known you. and to have loved you. you leaned on me right before kingsley came into this world and i felt so honored to help prepare you for motherhood. i hope you know that we, as a community, are rallying for your baby. for you. you are so loved.
Such a beautiful soul may you rest in peace
Taylor is the most bright minded person I ever met. She was my classmate in pharmacy school and we graduated together. I’m proud of the mother and the person she is. Maybe she’ll buy us some Starbucks when we see her again
I am deeply grateful and profoundly proud to have known you and to have witnessed the remarkable young woman you became. Your beauty, both in spirit and in character, shone brightly, and your kindness and thoughtfulness far exceeded your years.
Your absence will be felt more than words can express. Rest peacefully, knowing that you touched the lives of so many. There will always be a space in our hearts that belongs to you.
We love you, Taylor, and we will carry your memory with us always.
I knew Taylor through my daughter, Rhonda. Rhonda loved you and Kayden. Prayers for Lucille and the rest of the family.
So sorry to hear about Taylor. Such a sweetheart. Prayers to those left behind. Fly high my almost birthday twin. Tell Rhonda hello up there. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rember your sweet face at New Market. This is just not right. Prayers for your family.
I went to the pharmacy, that Taylor worked at, for over 7 years and Taylor was the first person to remember me and call me by name. She was always smiling and always helpful and kind. My sincere condolences to her family. Her loss is a terrible tragedy. I’m so very sorry.