Matthew Wilson Taylor

Matthew Wilson Taylor died on April 25, 2020 from complications of Cerebellar Ataxia, a degenerative brain disease. Matt was born on May 19, 1939 in the small Choctaw community of McIntosh, Alabama to Martha Natalie Rivers Taylor and Jim Craig Taylor. He earned his high school diploma, graduating third in his class of three! After one year of working in timber with his father, Matt decided he needed to pursue a career better suited to his size and ambition. He moved to Plainview, Texas to attend Wayland Baptist University where two of his cousins were enrolled. Because of his under-preparedness for college, Matt’s first two years were very difficult academically. He chose to leave the college path and enlist in the military. He served in the U.S. Army for three years as a psychiatric specialist, gaining self-confidence and skills that made him aware he could succeed academically. Matt returned to Plainview and completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1968, ten years after his initial enrollment.

Matt moved to Dallas to work in his first professional job as an employment counselor with the Texas Employment Commission (TEC). During his three years with TEC, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Louisiana Tech University and did extensive work with the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD). In 1971, Matt was hired by DCCCD to work in project development and as a part of that, directed a program recruiting Native Americans to attend DCCCD. During that time, Matt became acquainted with officials from the Regional Office of the U. S. Department of Education, who eventually hired him to become a part of their Regional Office Team managing TRIO programs.

Matt’s 31 years with the Department of Education were spent with TRIO and other discretionary programs. His career was particularly rewarding because his background was so similar to those students who are the focus of TRIO. His years with the Department of Education focusing on programs dealing with the disadvantaged reminded him on a daily basis of the difficulties faced by low-income, potential first-generation college students.

After retiring in 2006, Matt stayed busy spending time with his family (including the light of his life, grandson Tate) while maintaining his health and physical condition so that his heart would NOT grow faint (he walked at least 10,000 steps per day), attending St. Philip Presbyterian Church to nourish his soul, and traveling to his cabin in Red River, New Mexico to refresh his love of nature.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Rawlings Taylor, son Anthony Lloyd Taylor, daughter Angela Amanda Taylor, son-in-law Brian Dagley, and grandson Tate Taylor Dagley; friend and mother of their children Christine Taylor; brothers Floyd (wife Elois), and Gilbert Taylor; sisters Lounita Clark and Sharon VanHoose; brother-in-law John Rawlings (wife Lynn), sister-in-law Karen Rawlings Dean (husband Tim); nephews Ricky Taylor, John McGuire, Josh VanHoose, Ryan and Colby Steddum, Ted and Sam Rawlings; nieces Melissa Hazen, Janice Alexander, Tiffany Taylor, Leslie Stark; great nephews Regan Alexander, Houston Stark, Hayes and Rhett Steddum, Colton and Jacob Steddum; great nieces, Mikaela Liwanag, Madison and McKinlee Alexander, Natalie and Charlie Stark, and Evelyn Grace Rawlings, and many close family friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to any of these entities or to one of your choosing:

Red River Community House

P.O. Box 213

Red River, NM 87558

Faith Presbyterian Hospice

12477 Merit Drive

Dallas, TX 75251

Reeds Chapel

Rt. 1, Box 157 B-1

McIntosh, Alabama 36553