Melvin Anthoney Taylor

On Monday, October 28, 2019, Melvin Anthoney Taylor, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin had his life cut short at the age of fifty-seven. Melvin was born on July 19th, 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Marion and Evelyn Louise Taylor. He was one of twelve siblings, but his father's only son. He grew up in Harlem, New York and attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and John F. Kennedy High School. In 1979 he joined the Marines at the young age of seventeen. Melvin had a passion for music, sports, people, and Jesus Christ his Lord. He loved gospel and 60's music and was a big fan of Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. Throughout his life, he excelled in all sports but especially basketball, baseball, and track. His love for track influenced his choice to join the United States Marines Corps at such a young age. He had a spirit and personality that would light up a room. He was often known as "the fixer" or "the giver." Oftentimes you would find Melvin offering whatever he had to those that were less fortunate, homeless, imprisoned, or to anyone who asked. In 1980, while being stationed at Kaneohe Naval Base, he accepted Christ at Kailua Baptist Church located in Honolulu, Hawaii. On November 6th, 1982, he married the love of his life, Celester Renee Taylor. Together they raised three beautiful children, Melvin Jr, Evelyn, and Crystle. Melvin had many buisness ventures, but enjoyed working in sales for the majority of his life, even up until the time of his death. Melvin was proceeded in death by his father Marion Taylor, and his mother Evelyn Louise Taylor, as well as his beloved son Melvin Anthoney Taylor Jr. and his sisters Kathleen Wanda Taylor, and Jacqueline Elizabeth Taylor-Romero. He is survived by his wife Celester Renee and his children Micheal and Evelyn Valdez, Crystle, Christian, and Ashaya; Grandchildren Micheal Jr., Gabriella, Luke, and Charlotte Valdez. Melvin also leaves behind four sisters that he adored; Marion (Cookie), Marlene, Eileen and Stephanie, his loving mother in law, Dr. Beatrice Ann Fortson, multiple nieces and nephews (Many of which he helped raise), and dozens of cousins that he loved and cherished very much. In lieu of flowers please send monetary donations to Emanuel Pentecostal Church of Mesquite, Texas ATTN: Taylor Family