Obituary for Tommy Taylor
Tommy R. Taylor, 64, of the Richburg Community in Hattiesburg, died quietly in his home where he lived his entire life with his wife near on July 2, 2020. Services will be held at the Sandy Run Worship Center.
Mr. Taylor was a graduate of Oak Grove High School and was the first OG student to ever be selected for the MS State Lion’s band, which he played in for two consecutive years. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Music Education and minor in art, and attended grad school there as well. While at USM, he played in the marching, symphonic, and jazz lab bands. After graduation, he served as a high school/middle school band director and middle school show choir director, as well as an elementary music teacher. He taught in the Covington and Smith County School districts for ten years, then spent the last 20 years in the Forrest County school district at all campuses. He retired after 30 years of teaching in MS public schools.
He also served as the minister of music for the Hattiesburg/Trinity Heights Church of God and the Petal Church of God for over 20 years, then served at Richburg Baptist and Sandy Run Worship Center, each for ten years. He served on the MS State Laymen’s Board for the Church of God and local Pastors council, and was a crisis/suicide counselor with Pine Belt Mental Health. He was an associate member of the Mississippi Order of the Purple Heart, and played in the Hattiesburg Concert Band and Southern Strings Dulcimer group.
Mr. Taylor is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey B. and Ellie Mae Mullen Taylor, a son Jeremy Alan Taylor, two brothers, Earl L. Taylor and Jimmy D. Taylor, and a sister Linda Ann Taylor. He is survived by his wife of over 42 years, Mary Jean Taylor, three sons Joshua and James (Jenna) Taylor of Hattiesburg, and John Taylor of Davenport Florida; two sisters, Faye Wilson of Colliersville, TN, and Vicki Taylor of Hattiesburg; and two brothers, Harvey Dean Taylor of Woodbury, TN, and Victor Taylor of Grenada, Ms.
Burial will be at the Richburg Cemetery where five previous generations of his family were laid to rest.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations or contributions to the Homes of Hope or Salt and Light Ministries both located in Purvis. Tommy was a man of service and cared deeply for children. He was a godly example of a Christian husband, father, and friend. He will be greatly missed.
Mr. Taylor was a graduate of Oak Grove High School and was the first OG student to ever be selected for the MS State Lion’s band, which he played in for two consecutive years. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Music Education and minor in art, and attended grad school there as well. While at USM, he played in the marching, symphonic, and jazz lab bands. After graduation, he served as a high school/middle school band director and middle school show choir director, as well as an elementary music teacher. He taught in the Covington and Smith County School districts for ten years, then spent the last 20 years in the Forrest County school district at all campuses. He retired after 30 years of teaching in MS public schools.
He also served as the minister of music for the Hattiesburg/Trinity Heights Church of God and the Petal Church of God for over 20 years, then served at Richburg Baptist and Sandy Run Worship Center, each for ten years. He served on the MS State Laymen’s Board for the Church of God and local Pastors council, and was a crisis/suicide counselor with Pine Belt Mental Health. He was an associate member of the Mississippi Order of the Purple Heart, and played in the Hattiesburg Concert Band and Southern Strings Dulcimer group.
Mr. Taylor is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey B. and Ellie Mae Mullen Taylor, a son Jeremy Alan Taylor, two brothers, Earl L. Taylor and Jimmy D. Taylor, and a sister Linda Ann Taylor. He is survived by his wife of over 42 years, Mary Jean Taylor, three sons Joshua and James (Jenna) Taylor of Hattiesburg, and John Taylor of Davenport Florida; two sisters, Faye Wilson of Colliersville, TN, and Vicki Taylor of Hattiesburg; and two brothers, Harvey Dean Taylor of Woodbury, TN, and Victor Taylor of Grenada, Ms.
Burial will be at the Richburg Cemetery where five previous generations of his family were laid to rest.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations or contributions to the Homes of Hope or Salt and Light Ministries both located in Purvis. Tommy was a man of service and cared deeply for children. He was a godly example of a Christian husband, father, and friend. He will be greatly missed.