Everette Tedford Taylor

Everette Tedford Taylor, 84, passed away August 9, 2024. Ted was a lifelong Methodist, proud Democrat, award-winning trial lawyer and successful horse breeder. Ted was a man of many passions but his love for his family, friends, the practice of law, and the Alabama Crimson Tide was unparalleled. He was a lifelong friend to many and his absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Ted was born in Bankston, Alabama and spent his formative years in Fayette. He graduated from Fayette County High School before attending his beloved alma mater, the University of Alabama, where he received a Bachelor's degree in 1962 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1966, where he was the student body president.

Ted’s storied career began in Prattville, where he practiced law and served as municipal judge. His membership in numerous boards, clubs, and service organizations, including being a lifetime member of the Board of the Prattville YMCA, reflected his commitment to his community.

Ted later moved to Birmingham where he practiced law for twenty-five years.Ted was a pioneer in the area of defective products litigation and his dynamic trial skills and dedication to helping others were unrivaled. He was an influential member of the Alabama legal community, serving on the Board of Commissioners of the Alabama State Bar and as past president of both the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association and the Alabama Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Ted supported the University of Alabama, both the law school, where a mock courtroom bears his name, and the athletics program, where he was a member of the Lifetime Giving Society, served on the fundraising committee of the Crimson Tradition capital campaign and was a member of the Birmingham Chapter of the Red Elephant Club.

Ted was also an acclaimed breeder and owner of thoroughbred horses. He owned the historic Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky from 1994 to 2000, prior to moving his breeding stock to New York, where he was named Breeder of the Year in 2012. Ted loved spending summers in Saratoga Springs, New York, wining, dining, and watching horses with his best friend, Bill Justice. Ted also enjoyed Destin, Florida, where he loved to fish on his famously named boat, “Color Me Gone.” He adored Lake Martin, where he felt most at home, and was honored to have many beloved friends.

Ted was predeceased by his loving wife and law partner, Leah Oldacre Taylor; his son, Tedford Taylor; his sister, Debbie Files; and his parents, M.E. (George) and Geneva Taylor. Ted is survived by his children: Caroline Crawford (David) of Atlanta, Tracy Sproule (Gordon) of Birmingham, Leah Catherine Reader (Chris) of Gulf Shores, and Charlie Taylor (Ashton) of Tuscaloosa; his daughter-in-law, Kelly Taylor of Tampa; his grandchildren: Melanie Crawford, Ben Crawford, Catherine Crawford, Olivia Sproule, Robert Sproule, Ford Taylor, Pollard Taylor, Elizabeth Reader, Nelson Reader, and Charlie Taylor, Jr.; and his brother, Jimmy Taylor, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 2:30pm with visitation beginning one hour prior.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Prattville YMCA, P.O. Box 680009, Prattville, Alabama 36068 or to the University of Alabama Law School Foundation, Box 870382, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487.