Edward Earl Taylor, 71, of Cleveland, MS, passed away on July 19, 2018, at Shelby Nursing and Rehab. Visitation will be 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Ray Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will follow beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Ray Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Haney officiating.
Ed was born on August 3, 1946, to Eugene and Mary Taylor in Sunflower County, Mississippi. On December 31, 1965, he married Bonnie Kitchens in Cleveland, MS. Ed proudly served his country as Sergeant First Class in the Army during Desert Storm and the Iraq War. During his time in service, he received many awards such as the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and many more. He worked as a Maintenance Supervisor for the MS Department of Corrections for 33 years before retiring. Throughout the years, Ed was a member of the American Legion and Cleveland and Drew Masonic Lodge. He always looked forward to the Masonic Lodge Conventions and in all of his years being a member, he only missed one convention. After retiring from the MS Department of Corrections, Ed enjoyed attending car shows, fishing and playing softball in his spare time. Ed always went out of his way to do things for others and always put 100% into everything he did. Above all, he loved his family especially his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Mary Taylor; daughters, Wanda and Susan Taylor; brothers, Billy Taylor and Frank Taylor; and sister, Mary Ruth Smith.
Ed is survived by his wife, Bonnie Taylor of Cleveland; son, Greg Taylor (Carmen) of Cleveland; daughter, Mary Louise Ross (Ryan) of Ocean Springs; and grandchildren, Hunter Taylor (girlfriend, Kathryn Burchfield) of Cleveland, Hannah Taylor (fiancé, Codie Havens) of Jackson, and Hogan, Stone, Luke, and Lily Ross of Ocean Springs.
Memorials may be made to the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.
Visitation
9:00 am - 10:00 am Saturday, July 21, 2018
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States
Memorial Service
10:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, July 21, 2018
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States