Gerald Ellis Taylor formerly of Senatobia, Mississippi passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at the age of 92. After a long-lived life, Gerald died peacefully at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Gerald was born in Horn Lake, Mississippi on February 24, 1930, to Father John Taylor and Mother Thelma Mae Coleman Taylor. The oldest of eight children, Gerald didn’t have the opportunity for much formal education. He worked on his family’s small farm starting at an early age. Gerald helped with the farming until he went to work with the Panola County Road department. Gerald married Gladys Ann Todd Taylor November 28, 1952, where they made their home in Como, Mississippi. Gerald was drafted into the Army in May 1953 at the age of 23 and served state side until his discharge in April 1955. After discharge from the Army, he resumed working with the Panola County Road Department until 1960. In January of 1960 Gerald went to work for the Tate County Road department and moved to the Looxahoma community where he lived until 2020 after he became unable to live alone. Gerald was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors. He was a faithful member of Looxahoma Baptist Church until the death of his wife at which time he started attending Hunters Chapel United Methodist Church in Strayhorn Mississippi and was a faithful member and actively involved. He remained in contact with members of the congregation after moving to Jackson. Gerald was preceded in death by his wife Gladys of 54 years, his granddaughter Melissa Taylor, his parents, and sisters Catherine Longest, Donna Peabody, Sybil Rich, Evelyn Hill; his brothers John W. Taylor and Robert Taylor. He is survived by his three sons, James G. “Jim” (Tina), Edward T. “Ed” (Ann) both from Senatobia, Mississippi and John “Greg” from Jackson, Mississippi. Four grandchildren, Crystal Taylor, Brandy Taylor, Blake Taylor (Natalie) Independence, Mississippi, and Paxton Taylor (Kelby), Fayetteville, Arkansas; one sister Shirley Pratt, Winona, Mississippi, sister-in-law, Bobbie Taylor, Hernando, Mississippi, and brothers-in-law William “Bill” Longest, Oxford, Mississippi, Jack Hill of Flowood, MS; and an abundance of nieces and nephews. After moving to Jackson, Gerald met Betty Waddell, Ridgeland, Mississippi, and they became best buddies. She looked after him and visited him daily. He also leaves his “Adopted Son” Ron Mitchell, Madison, Mississippi. Ron looked after him when his son, Greg, wasn’t available, bringing him food and ensuring he was taken care of. The family wishes to extend a special “Thank You” to Quarter Inn Apartments, Jackson Mississippi, and the staff for all they did to assist him during his two-year stay, and the Physicians and Nursing Staff at St. Dominic’s Hospital, and Doctor Houston and the Nursing Staff at Hospice Ministries, Inc. for their concern and commitment to medical practice and keeping him comfortable and with the highest quality of life. Services were held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Pate-Jones Funeral Home. Burial followed in Glenville Cemetery with Military Honors. The family request memorials in lieu of flowers to Hunter’s Chapel United Methodist Church or Hospice Ministries, Inc. Memorials can be sent to Hunter’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 902 Strayhorn Street, Senatobia, MS 38668 or Hospice Ministries, Inc, 450 Towne Center Boulevard, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Pate-Jones Funeral Home Senatobia, MS 662-562-4481 fax 662-562-9020
