Earle Richard Taylor

Earle Richard Taylor, 94, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, went home to our Savior on Friday, May 4, 2012, in Ocean Springs. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado, on December 7, 1917, to parents Robert W. and Alice Ingham Taylor. At three years of age, he moved to Ocean Springs, where he resided until his death, at home. Earle played football and graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 1937. He finished Perkinston Junior College in 1939, Oklahoma State University, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1961. Earle was self-employed for many years as owner of the Gulf Kist Poultry Farm. He taught junior high science for the Ocean Springs and Moss Point School Systems. He served on the board of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Farmer’s Co-op, and was past president of the United Poultry Producers of Ocean Springs and president of the Ocean Springs Rotary Club. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. Mr. Taylor was a member, deacon, and lay minister at Ocean Springs First Baptist Church. He was a former trustee and Sunday School Director at St. Paul Methodist Church. He gave testimony of his Savior and his eternity in heaven until his home-going on Friday. Earle was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter and Robert William, and one sister, Annie Hambrick. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Lillian Gertrude Holcomb Taylor, and devoted father to five daughters: Mrs. Phil (Becky) Crosby, of Independence, MO, Mrs. Robert (Liann) Cirlot, of Ringgold, GA, Mrs. Wayne (Mary Jane) Young, of Jay, FL, Ms. Martha Kay Taylor (Steve Ladner), of Long Beach and Mrs. Gary (Betty) Hopkins of Ocean Springs. Mr. Taylor was a wonderful grandfather to 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. The family is thankful for our extended members who have cared so lovingly for our father during his illness: Kathy Hinton, Sioux Bee Lacy, Laura Landale, Rhonda Padgett, Mary Ponder, Lynn Quist and Misty Charboneau. A visitation will be held on Monday, May 7, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with an 11:00 a.m. service, all at the First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.