Robert Doyle Taylor

After a brief illness, on September 26, 2014, Robert “Doyle” Taylor joined his beloved wife Bobbie Sue Taylor in their Heavenly home. He was 95 years of age. He was born to Robert Fulton Taylor and Maude Otis Dodgen in the Pleasant Grove community west of Winnsboro on June 25, 1919. He was an only child. He met his future wife Bobbie at a singing school at Forest Home community when they were both 15 years of age. They were married at the preacher’s home in Yantis on August 29, 1940 and shared over 72 years of marriage together. Bobbie Sue Taylor preceded him in death on April 6, 2013.

Mr. Taylor, after attending Pleasant Grove school through 10th grade, graduated from Winnsboro High School and obtained an Associate’s Degree from East Texas Baptist University in Engineering. He later served on the Board of Trustees for ETBU for several years.

Mr. Taylor served in the U.S. Navy in WWII until the end of the war. Mr. Taylor was a lifelong business man in Winnsboro. He owned and operated Taylor Propane Company and Taylor True Value Hardware stores until his “retirement” in 1977, when he sold both businesses. Retirement, for him, meant going to his home office every day, tending to his investments and other business interests, which he did until a few months ago.

He was a member & deacon of First Baptist Church Winnsboro since 1947. He served faithfully in many capacities for various church committees and activities. He was an all-star baseball player for the Winnsboro Oilers in the 1940’s and was recently honored during the dedication of Walker Memorial Park. He was one of the last living founders of the Winnsboro Lion’s Club, serving actively there for over 65 years. He and his wife Bobbie were also active in Winnsboro Little Theater at the old city park pavilion in the late 40’s and early 50’s. They were actively involved as members of the Mainland Advisory Council of Hawaii Baptist Academy since 1982. He was a huge supporter of Winnsboro High School sports, including football and basketball, as well as Winnsboro FFA.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his son Marcus D. (Mark) Taylor and wife Pamela Ann Taylor of Winnsboro; daughter Kayron Sue (Susie) Taylor of Richardson; grandson Rob Taylor and wife Tiffiny of Huntington; grandson Chris Irby of Dallas; granddaughter Sunny Polito and husband Nick of Dallas; granddaughter Amber Taylor of Winnsboro; grandson Zane Taylor and wife Kim of College Station; granddaughter Heather Wessels and husband Johan of Chicago. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson: Taylor Blair and wife Ashley, with son Ayden Hugh Blair, Christopher Polito, Faith Flaherty, Noah Taylor, Zoe Taylor, Luke Polito, Campbell Polito, Maggie Taylor, Grace Wessels, Tyler Pratt and Kodie Pratt.

Family will receive friends on Monday, September 29, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm at Beaty Funeral Home, 816 W. Broadway, Winnsboro 75494. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday September 30, at 10:30 am at the First Baptist Church, 200 W. Broadway, Winnsboro, 75494, Dr. David Rose officiating. Interment is at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in the Pleasant Grove Community west of Winnsboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hawaii Baptist Academy, 420 Wyllie Street, Honolulu, HI 96817; or the Benevolence Program of FBC, Winnsboro.