Imo Nanetta Scales Taylor was born June 18, 1943 through the union of Alphonso and Ella Allen Scales. She was the 7th of eight children. As a child, she would often put a finger in her ear to scratch it really fast and received the nickname "Shakie". This nickname, stayed with her
throughout her life.

Her formative years were spent in Birmingham, Alabama where she graduated from A.H. Parker High School. Imo loved education and took a particular interest in mathematics. While attending Miles College, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics. She later obtained a
Masters Degree in Mathematics at the University of California Berkley and started her career as a math teacher. It was there where met and married Robert Earl Taylor, I From their union they had a son, Robert Earl Taylor, II.

She moved to Saginaw, Michigan where she spent the remaining of her professional career serving over 30 years in education within the Buena Vista (BV) School District. She worked as a math teacher in both Jr. High and High School, served as a math consultant, college instructor,
tennis coach, and served as a high school principal for over a decade.

Her impact on the education of students within the BV School system still holds a lasting legacy in the hearts of former students who recalled that she cared deeply for each of them but "didn't play". She taught them life lessons, provided Prom Dresses, and invested her time
and talents into their success. She was, in short, a force to be reckoned with. Her staff, became close friends over the years one who was most dear was her best friend and line sister, Ella McCoy. It was often said that Imo Taylor, never met a stranger.

To know Mrs. Taylor, as an educator, was to respect her, recognize her attention to fine detail and setting higher standards for excellence. One notable pearl and passion project was the nationally recognized robotics program she established at Ricker's Middle School. She led and
supported staff and students in this ground breaking project with the development of their beloved robot called "Blazing Robo." She would do anything for her students and often traveled across the country with them as they participated and won national competitions. Imo, was
short in stature but tall in her conviction to make sure that every person she met knew that they mattered and she would give her all to be of service to their success.

To know Shakie, as a sister, mother, aunt, cousin, friend was to love her laugh, gift of gab, late night talks, and road trips to anywhere her little feet could carry her. Since childhood, she was known to be the nurturer/caregiver of the family-many times putting others needs before her
own. She would often travel across the country just to visit with those she loved most. You would know Shakie was around because you could hear her before you even saw her face.

Days were often spent filled with her loud and fast speech, with endless larger than life stories and her unforgettable and iconic laugh. She loved to have a good time, watching and cheering for every black sports athlete as if she knew them personally, and being in good company
with anyone she met. She and her siblings would travel often to Vegas (and other casinos), hoping to win big, but most importantly to spend time with one another, creating core memories to last them a lifetime time.

Imo was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She pledged in 1995 with Saginaw Alumnae Chapter was on the line "Sweeter by the Dozen". 2 of her lines sisters have preceded her into the Omega Omega Chapter. Her commitment to Sisterhood, Scholarship,
Service and Social Action was unwavering throughout her life as an educator and served as inspiration for her nieces to follow in her footsteps.

She remained a spiritual woman, attended church at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church ( Pastor Dennis Laffoon Saginaw, MI). She often traveled to listen to her brother Talmadge sing with his men's ministry groups. She found peace in the gospel. Shakie returned to Birmingham to be closer to her beloved son Robert Taylor II and granddaughter Lauryn Michelle Taylor whom she loved with all of her heart and soul.

On December 28, 2024, Imo "Shakie" Nanetta Scales Taylor, transitioned in Birmingham Alabama knowing that she was loved by many having led a full life that will leave a lasting legacy for those whom were fortunate to know her well.

She is preceded in death by her siblings and parents Vonceil "Cooda' Lyas, Ella Allan Scales, Dwight "Man" Lyas, Alphonso Scales, Diann "Juggy" Scales, Alvin "Sonny" Scales, Vivian "Pet" Scales Haslip, Awilda "Babysister" Young. Imo leaves to celebrate her spirit her only son, Robert Earl Taylor, II (Birmingham, AL), her loving and smart granddaughter Lauryn Michelle Taylor (Birmingham, AL), Her brothers Jerome "Feeny" Scales (Josephine) of Birmingham, AL and Talmadge "Doc" Scales (Margaret) of Detroit, MI, and Alvin Young of Burke, VA. Her dearest
friends Marva (Stanley "Buster") Gordon of Saginaw, MI, and Sisters in Love, Ella McCoy of Natchez, Mississippi and Emma Rose Scott of San Francisco, CA. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, Sorors, colleagues and students who will always remember the powerhouse
she was and will continue to be in our hearts.