Andrew Taylor DeLong

Services for Andrew Taylor DeLong, 22, of Madison, Mississippi, will be held at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, Mississippi on Monday, March 22, 2021, with Visitation at 10:00am, Chapel Services at 11:00am and Graveside Services to follow. Taylor passed away on March 15, 2021.

Taylor was born in Flowood, Mississippi on February 26, 1999, and spent most of his life in Madison, before living in Austin, Texas.

Growing up, Taylor loved his church and was active in the youth group at Madison United Methodist Church. He spent many years as a Cub Scout, Webelo and Boy Scout, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Taylor loved spending time outdoors. Always one for adventure, he traveled extensively during his short life – seeing as much of the United States as possible, traveling to Canada, and enjoying an African Safari with his beloved Mom and Dad just last year.

Taylor was a kind and giving young man and was passionate about many causes, but especially those that helped animals. His need to help animals no doubt stemmed from his love of dogs, particularly his dog Penny and his Retrievers Abby and Elroy. He had enviable skills on the skateboard, enjoyed music, photography and was a voracious reader. Taylor had a huge heart, a magnetic personality and was loved dearly by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Fred Cole DeLong, Jr.

Taylor is survived by his parents, Cole and Amy Shannon DeLong of Madison, MS; his grandparents, John and Norma DeLong Richards of Madison, MS; Garner and Toni Bell Shannon of Belzoni, MS; and Gene and Pat Shannon Layton of Lithia, FL; his longtime girlfriend Ava Erickson of Austin, TX; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends from all over the country and from all walks of life.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary https://ofsds.org/tributes/