Ellis Taylor

Ellis L. Taylor of Brownsville, TN, 77, died at home on January 21, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Eugenia (Genie) Howell Taylor. He was proudest of his 3 daughters: Julia Miller (Mrs. Robert); Laura Taylor Peacock; and, Louisa Taylor. He has three grandchildren: Lee, Anna Beth, and Joseph Miller. He was the older brother and close friend of Ron (Elsa) and Don (Nancy) Taylor. He leaves behind a loving and large family of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Ellis grew up in Memphis, graduated from South Side High School and retired from Bell South Telephone company. He served in the US Airforce as a Communication Specialist. He was at Cape Canaveral during the "Man in Space Soonest" which later became NASA's project Mercury. After this tour, he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. He was always concerned for others and at one time was written up in the Bell South paper as saving a customer's life. He mentored Junior Achievement for several years and was a Mason and Shriner. Ellis was called the "Bob Villa" of the Taylor clan and was an avid do it "yourselfer". He had a wonderful sense of humor, always had a way to make you laugh and a prankster. One time he left a note at the bottom of the cookie box saying "Kilroy was here" with a picture. He was an avid golfer who played in the FedEX Pro Am with Chi Chi Rodriguez. He never broke a golf club but many of his friends did! He was a loyal member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Memphis, TN and Tabernacle United Methodist Church, Brownsville, TN. During his long battle with Cancer, he had the opportunity to be in 2 trials that have produced successful drugs. These drugs have extended the life of others. Please send donations in lieu of flowers to West Cancer Center, 7945 Wolf River Blvd., Memphis, TN 38138 and Special Olympics of Greater Memphis, 1355 Lynnfield Road, Suite 273, Memphis, TN 38119. Services will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Tabernacle United Methodist Church, Brownsville, TN, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held Monday, January 25 at Lea Simmons Funeral Home, Brownsville, TN, 5p.m.-7p.m. Lea and Simmons Funeral Home 731-772-8880.