Home, Heart, & Legacy: The Taylor Family of Liberty Knolls

Photography by Karen Presecan Photography

For the past decade, Liberty Knolls has been home to Allen and Saresa Taylor, who pride themselves as a family built on military service, faith in one another, and a deep commitment to their community. Together they've raised a beautifully blended family of seven children and six grandchildren, weathered the kind of loss that reshapes a family forever, and turned their grief into a mission that now reaches far beyond their own front porch. Their story is really three stories woven into one: a life grounded in home, connections and passions fueled by their heart, and a legacy built through love and purpose.

Home

Allen and Saresa are both retired U.S. Army veterans who met while serving their country and have now "shared 17 years of friendship and 15 wonderful years of marriage," Saresa shares. After Allen retired in 2018 serving for 28 years and Saresa retired in 2016 after serving for 22, the couple made a deliberate choice about what would come next. Rather than chase second careers, they decided "to focus on what mattered most to us: our marriage, our family, and making memories together."

That commitment shows up in the everyday moments. "Our favorite moments are when all our children come home to visit," Saresa says. "There's nothing better than having everyone under one roof cooking together, sharing meals, laughing, taking family photos, making TikToks, and simply enjoying each other's company."

The family tree stretches across Louisiana, Texas, and Virginia — (oldest to youngest) Jessie Baker II, Allyah Taylor, Alexis Jackson, Khaliyah Isom, Alexander Taylor, Jawuan "JuJu" Booker, and Allen Taylor Jr. also known as "AJ," a rising ninth grader and the only child still at home), plus six grandchildren who Saresa says "bring endless joy to our lives." The family carries the memory of their son Jawuan "JuJu" Booker, who has inspired their nonprofit organization and will remain 18 forever in their hearts, everywhere they go.

Home extends beyond their own front door, too. Ten years after choosing Liberty Knolls for its schools and its welcoming feel, the Taylors say the neighborhood has become an extension of their family. Saresa still remembers the neighbor who greeted them with homemade cookies on their very first day, and it set the tone for everything since.

"Never underestimate the power of saying hello, checking in on one another, being observant, or offering a helping hand," she says. "Sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference in someone's life."

Even the family cat, Nyx, has become a neighborhood fixture in his own right, known for his daily strolls. "We often joke that he thinks he's a dog because he's so social!" Saresa laughs. "If you've ever walked through Liberty Knolls, there's a good chance you've met Nyx!"

Heart (and Hustle)

Fitness and service– and the passion behind them– are woven together in the Taylor household; both are ways of showing up, for themselves and for others. Saresa has run in numerous races and community events over the years, while Allen and Saresa both make time for the gym, with Zumba as Saresa's favorite. AJ has followed his own path, earning his Second-Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. "He also enjoys running, although he may not admit it!" Saresa says. "As his mom, I see a natural talent and determination in him that I know will continue to grow."

That same drive carries into how the family gives back. Allen and Saresa spent years volunteering as Stafford County youth basketball coaches, and Saresa has organized neighborhood Easter egg hunts, movie nights, and countless other activities to bring the community together, along with volunteer work at the Brisben Center. These days, much of that energy goes into The Forsythe Foundation – Reboot with JuJu, where the family hosts community events focused on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

"My passion is creating opportunities for people to connect, support one another, and feel like they belong," Saresa says — a line that could just as easily describe her approach to fitness, coaching, or neighborhood life as it does the foundation itself.

Everything the Taylors do circles back to one thing: making memories and making sure those memories matter. Since retiring, they've made international travel a yearly promise to themselves, often spending holidays in the Caribbean. Two trips stand out above the rest — Egypt, which captured their hearts with its history and culture, and Dubai, a destination that held special meaning because it had been a dream trip for JuJu. Looking ahead, the Taylors hope to one day gather all of their children and grandchildren for one unforgettable family vacation.

"For us, the greatest souvenirs are the memories we create together," Saresa says.

It's the same heart that keeps Saresa's camera close at nearly every family gathering. "The kids may roll their eyes when they see me recording again, but one day they'll have those videos to look back on and remember just how much fun we had together," she says. "To me, those memories are priceless."

Legacy 

Their heart– and the legacy they’re building– is most visible in the family's mission since JuJu's passing. What began as grief has become a foundation built to help others. Rather than allowing his story to end with his loss, they chose to honor his life by helping others. The Forsythe Foundation – Reboot with JuJu was created in his honor, carrying his name and legacy forward focusing on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and a commitment to reminding others that every life and every story matters.

"Although JuJu is no longer physically with us, his legacy continues to live on through our family and through The Forsythe Foundation – Reboot with JuJu," Saresa says. Others live on as well. "In his final act of love, he became an organ donor, giving the gift of life to others and leaving behind a legacy of hope."

This past August, the foundation proudly marked its first anniversary as a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, an important milestone as it continues to grow its impact and carry JuJu’s legacy forward through mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and community outreach. 

"Through [our] partnerships with schools, churches, businesses, and community organizations, we provide educational programs, speaking engagements, resources, and lived-experience storytelling that reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and foster hope," Saresa explains.

Home, heart, and legacy. For the Taylor family, the three aren't separate at all. They're the same, lived out daily and intentionally carried forward in honor of the son they lost, the community they love, and the family they continue to build together.

For those inspired by the family’s story and interested in supporting their mission, there are several ways to get involved with The Forsythe Foundation – Reboot with JuJu. Community members are invited to follow the foundation on Facebook, volunteer at upcoming events and programs, or learn more about ways to support its work through the foundation’s website at rebootwithjuju.com.