Emanuel L. Taylor Jr.

LEXINGTON - E. L. “Buddy” Taylor made his transition to eternal rest on Wednesday June 27, 2012. The son of E. L. Taylor, Sr. and Nettie Goodwin Taylor, Buddy was born on January 26, 1930 in Lexington, S.C.

He was a versatile man of many talents. In his early adulthood, he co-owned and operated E. L. Taylor Furniture in Lexington with his sister Mary Taylor. He also had an avid curiosity, especially for how things worked. His first academic pursuits were in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech and Clemson. That mechanical aptitude was channeled into a love of all things automotive, and he enjoyed “turning wrenches” with a number of fellow automobile enthusiasts.

In his late thirties, Buddy found a new vocation, dedicating his life to full-time Christian service. He was first licensed as a minister at his home church, Lexington Baptist, in 1966 and was later ordained at Green Hill Baptist Church, West Columbia, in 1970. He completed his undergraduate degree at Columbia College in 1969 with a BA in religion. He received his Master of Divinity degree in 1974 from Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. His ministry focus was small church nurture and growth. He was also instrumental in helping congregations build new church facilities.

Family was an essential part of Buddy’s life. He and his wife, Margaret Norris Taylor raised their family of four in Lexington and also in North Carolina while Buddy completed his academic work. Buddy is survived by his children Monirah Taylor Womack (Gary) of Atlanta, GA; Mary Taylor Moser (Paul) of Wendell, NC; Melissa Taylor (John) of Winlock, WA; E.L. Taylor III (Gigi) and grandson Nicholas Emanuel Taylor; sisters Linda Taylor Clark of Atlanta, GA and Freddie Taylor Clark (Tom) of Punta Gorda, FL; sisters-in-law Marie Brickle of Cayce, S.C.; JoAnn Jones (Harold) of West Columbia, S.C.; Frances Norris of Conway, S.C.; brother-in-law Jimmy Norris (Judy) of Cayce, S.C.; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his spouse, Margaret Norris Taylor, parents E.L. and Nettie Taylor, sisters Sarah Taylor Sessions, Mary Taylor and Marjorie Taylor Maguire.

The funeral service will be Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 11 a.m. in Lexington Baptist Chapel, with burial at Lexington Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday evening, June 29, 2012 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel from 6 – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the church or charity of one’s choice. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to all of Buddy’s caregivers, including geriatric care manager Debbie Kelly and the staffs of Lexington Medical Extended Care, Tri-County Hospice, Carroll Campbell Place and Oakleaf Village.