Robert T. Taylor Sr.

Robert T. Taylor, Sr. passed away peacefully, at home with his family, on September 11, 2021 Born on December 12, 1932 in Quitman, Georgia to Thomas and Lavinia (née Folsom) Taylor (“Droopy”) and predeceased by his sisters, Betty Waters and Marianne Richbourg, Robert was affectionately known in his youth as Bobby; he earned the moniker, “Rapid Robert”, due to his All State high school record in football and baseball; and, he was universally known and mostly loved thereafter as Bob or Senior.

Bob was a walk-on scholarship quarterback at FSU; following a head injury, he transferred to Valdosta State College, where he met his future wife, Sherrill Smith (“Sherry”) in History 101. Married shortly after Bob returned from Korea, where he had been stationed in the Army, Bob and Sherry started their married life in Atlanta, and he began his career in consumer products sales. Following a transfer to Savannah and then to North Miami Beach, Bob joined a small, family confectionary brokerage and began to expand it; Sherry ran the back office, some said with an iron hand.

In keeping with his personality, Bob’s name never was on the door, but his spirit and leadership shaped the company and the industry organizations in which he served the NCA, FTCA, SAWD, and NCSA. When Bob’s son, Robert, Jr., joined the company, now known as BBI, Inc., the two of them grew it to national prominence as a premier, broad based consumer products agency and industry leader. He was a proud member of the Candy Hall of Fame.

Bob and Sherry started their commitment to tithing and philanthropy a few days before their wedding, when a family member revealed the urgent need to repay a debt; they used all of their cash to repay the debt, and started their honeymoon with a car loaded with groceries provided by siblings. Inventive and fun, he won a clubhouse for an organization in Savannah by winning a foot race and wore a tutu in a fundraiser, when their ability to contribute financially was not yet developed. Over the years, Bob and Sherry continued their generosity to others, both directly and through organizations such as Sheridan House Family Ministries and Habitat of Broward. Bob also quietly mentored and helped others whenever he saw a need. Observant and kind, he was quick to notice and slow to criticize. He had a mischievous sense of humor and masterminded the occasional prank, such as the time he won a turkey shoot and released his winnings (a live turkey) inside the house.

Two passions (in addition to family and FSU football) dear to Bob’s heart were fishing and hunting with family (especially his grandchildren), BBI team members and clients, his dear friend and neighbor, Pat McCaghren and the crew from Doc’s Marine. He loved the camaraderie, the woods and flat water— and the tall tales generated by spending time in or on them. A crack shot, he could hit a bird (sometimes, two at once) under any conditions. His life was saved more than once by Corbin Delk, Pat, and many others in his personal universe during these adventures in Bob’s later years.

Bob is survived by Sherry, his loving and beloved wife of 65 years; his daughter, Robin Taylor Fleming and husband, Philip Fleming; his son, Robert T. Taylor, Jr. and wife, Elizabeth; his grandchildren, Shelby Miller and husband, Alex; Wilson Taylor Symons; and Brantley Taylor; and great-grandson, Smith Alexander Miller.

Services will be held at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5555 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308 on Saturday, September 18, at 2PM. The service will be live-streamed at https://crpc.org (click on Watch Live on the top right corner).

Bob’s family is deeply grateful for the support provided to Bob from friends, neighbors, the entire BBI team, with special thanks to Lori Edens, and to Beth, caregivers Marie, Marlene, Shanika, Sylvia, Sandy and others from Assisting Hands under the deft leadership of Rita, and to the stellar team from Trustbridge, which provided hospice care with dignity and compassion.

Memorial donations in Bob’s name may be made to Sheridan House Family Ministries, 1700 S. Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL 33325 (or online at sheridanhouse.org) or to Habitat of Broward, P.O. Box 5209, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (habitatbroward.org).