Crawford L Taylor, Jr.

Crawford Logan Taylor, Jr. died on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 at the age of 84. He was born in Anniston, AL on February 17, 1941, the son of Catherine J. and C. Logan Taylor. He was educated in Anniston Public Schools, at Birmingham-Southern College (B.A.) and the University of North Carolina (M.A.). He was married to Marlene Smyth Taylor of Opelika in 1962; she survives him along with two children, Crawford Logan Taylor III (Sara) and Merryl Taylor Cooper (Jason), four granddaughters, Camille Cooper, Emily Cooper, Ava Taylor and Madeleine Taylor, one grandson, Taylor Cooper, and numerous other cousins, aunts and in-laws.

After completing Ph.D. coursework, Crawford taught philosophy briefly in Chapel Hill and also worked for the UNC Extension Division. In 1969, the Taylors moved to Birmingham where he began a long career in the securities business, building a large investment practice with Merrill Lynch over a period of 50 years. He was also active in community affairs and involved in a number of organizations. His principal interest was always his church, Vestavia Hills Baptist, where he served as a choir member, Sunday school teacher, and deacon chair. Other favorite affiliations were The Young Men’s Business Club of Birmingham (now YMBC Forum), the Woman’s Missionary Union Foundation Board, and the Board of Trustees at the Birmingham Museum of Art. At various times, he was also a member of the University of North Carolina Board of Visitors, the Baptist Health Foundation Board, and the Board of the Alabama Symphony. He was past president of the Alabama Security Dealers Association, YMBC Forum, and Friends of American Art. Other keen interests were the important and life-changing work of Habitat for Humanity, Cornerstone Schools of Alabama, the Christian Women’s Job Corps, the Salvation Army, and the construction of the Thunguma Baptist Church in Kenya. In 2002, Merrill Lynch awarded him a lifetime community service award. He often said, “Of all the joys of life, love is the best. God’s love resides in all of us; our challenge is to let it out.” Some years ago, Crawford and Marlene established The Taylor Charitable Trust which will provide, hopefully, an ever flowing fountain of good.

A memorial service will be held at Vestavia HIlls Baptist Church on Saturday, March 29th at 1:00pm with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation in his memory may do so to Vestavia Hills Baptist Church or to the charity of their choice.