Millard Donelson Taylor

A native Memphian, he was the son of the late Arnold Lloyd Taylor and Monnie Lou McMahon Taylor of 135 Rose Road.

Don loved life and will always be remembered for his jovial wit. He was a graduate of Central High School and was president of TKO fraternity. Don graduated from Memphis State University (University of Memphis) .

After college Don joined the Army and trained at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. After basic training he was tapped for the Army Intelligence Corp. and served at Fort Holabird, Maryland. After his service Don settled in his hometown Memphis and was a squidge learning the cotton business at Barnwell and Hayes Cotton Company on Front Street. He was married to Shirley Broadhead for ten years.

Later Don was recruited by the late Charles Cato, to join the firm of Southern Central (Penworthy Paper Company) and worked there many years becoming assistant vice president in charge of sales. After Charles’ death Don became associated with E.H. Crump Realty. He was married briefly to Gail Southard.

After moving to Birmingham, Alabama , he joined the firm of Charles Bargeron, Investments and Insurance where he excelled at selling insurance for many years.

Don often joined family gatherings where his gourmet dishes and commentary were celebrated and remembered. He turned each life experience into a colorful story, entertaining us with tales of moose hunting, fishing trips, and memories of playing on Southern Central’s baseball team . He was a big fan of Alabama football. Social events were always uplifted when Don was there. His altruism was inspirational and his acceptance of others exemplary. He was a good man with integrity and a kindness of spirit, and was greatly liked and loved. He will be missed.

He was a direct descendant of Sir John Gaines, Edmund Pendleton and other seventeenth and eighteenth century Virginia colonists. He was a cousin of president Zachary Taylor, descended from Zachary’s grandparents, James and Mary Gregory Taylor.

Don leaves his siblings: sister Carolyn Taylor Miller of Memphis; sister Patricia Taylor Oates Dodge of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; brother Richard Lloyd Taylor and sister in law Susan Turner Taylor of Memphis.

He was a devoted uncle to nieces and nephews: Taylor Franklin Miller (Linda Borsch) of New York City; Lloyd Donelson Miller (Dana Anderton) of Houston, Texas; Thomas Day Oates, Jr. of Seattle, Washington; Dr. Carolyn Taylor Oates Ballantine (Parke) of Raleigh, North Carolina; Nathaniel McMahan Taylor (Becky Cremer) of Memphis; and Anne-Elise Taylor Brian (Alex) of Salem, Massachusetts; great-niece Carolyn Taylor Miller of Dallas, Texas; and great nephews: John Donelson Miller of Houston, Texas; William ‘Will’ Taylor Miller of New York City; and William ‘Will’ Parke Ballantine, III, of Raleigh, North Carolina.

The family will receive friends at Memphis Funeral Home at 1 pm Monday, Nov 24 ,

preceding a graveside serice at 2 pm in Memorial Park.

The family requests memorials be sent your favorite charity.