Latoya Traylor

Latoya Nicole Gatewood-Traylor, affectionately known as "Nikki," "Toya," and "Aunt Nikki," was born on February 19, 1974, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Erma Whitfield and Larry Gatewood. She spent part of her childhood in Little Rock before moving to El Dorado, Arkansas, where she continued her education and proudly graduated with the Class of 1992.

In 1993, Nikki married the love of her life, Lonnie Traylor Sr. Through this union, two children were born, Lonnie Traylor Jr. and Lonniesha Traylor. Lonnie also lovingly embraced Nikki's eldest daughter, Ermeshale Finley, as his own.

Nikki was well known throughout the community for her years of dedicated service at Chick-A-Dilly, where she built lasting relationships and touched many lives with her kindness and warm spirit. Later, she continued working at Walmart until her declining health no longer allowed her to work.

Known to many as "Aunt Nikki," she truly embodied that title. Whether related by blood or simply through love, Nikki opened her heart to everyone she encountered. She had a special love for children and was blessed with many godchildren whom she loved and cared for deeply. Nikki was a faithful member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church for more than 30 years under the leadership of Bishop Calloway, whom she loved dearly. She found joy in music, cooking, and lending a helping hand to anyone in need.

Nikki was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; her parents, Erma Whitfield and Larry Gatewood; her beloved daughter, Ermeshale Finley; her brother, Larryl Gatewood; and her special sister, Melody Meeks.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory: her husband, Lonnie Traylor Sr.; her son, Lonnie Traylor Jr.; her daughters, Lonniesha (Denise) Traylor, Stephanie Hoosier, and Keira Cooper; her brothers, Robert (Tasha) Jackson and Marcus Ford; her sisters, Shuntrice (Ray) Hughes and Dianna (Demetric) Mayberry; her granddaughters, Heaven Brown and D'Haven Brown; her goddaughters, Dominique Miller, Jacaria Washington, and Sharaya Archer; her special nieces, Sharneecia Gatewood, Chloe Gatewood, Shyrayle Gatewood, and Agneshia Edmondson; her special grandmother, Clara Scott; her special granddaughter, Hannah Lawson; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who will forever cherish her love and memory.