R. Pendelton "Penn" Taylor, 90, of Columbus, died November 14, 2009, at Windsor Nursing Home after a brief illness. Penn was born November 11, 1919, in Columbus to William R. and Stella Thurston Taylor. Visitation will be held Monday, November 16, 2009, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at 10:00 at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel wth Dr. Sam Morris and Rev. Glenn Miller, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Friendship Cemetery. In addition to his parents, Penn was preceded in death by his wife Catherine, sister Patty Taylor, four brother in-laws: James Barton, Robert Beeks Barton, Wade Barton, and Sam Lowery; and two sister-in-laws: Celeste Barton and Nell Barton. He is survived by sons Bill Taylor (Becky) of Columbus and Dr. Bob Taylor (Renee) of Tuscaloosa, sister Mary T. Lowery of Birmingham, granddaughter Stephanie Pate (Robert) of Columbus, grandson Penn Taylor III (Laura) of Mexico, Missouri, great grandchildren Ginger and Bryce Pate and Georgia Rose Taylor, sister-in law Annette Barton of Aberdeen, and several nieces and a nephew. A lifelong Lowndes County farmer, he raised turkeys, registered Tennessee walking horses, and cattle. Penn was a board member of the Four County Electric Power Association for 26 years, serving 18 of those years as President of the Board. He was the Lowndes County sheriff and tax collector from 1964-68. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Magowah Gun and Country Club, Marching and Chowder, Columbus Kiwanis Club, FMHA Committee, ASCS Committee, First Columbus Investment Club, MSU Weightlifting Team, MSU Ag Club, Kappa Alpha Fraternity, MSU Block and Bridle Club, and MSU Livestock Judging Team. He earned a degree in Agriculture from MSU and served in the Armys 36th Texas Division 142nd Infantry in WW2 serving 366 days of continuous combat in Europe. Pallbearers will be Bob Herron, Louis Johnson, Dale Parra, Bobby Raymond, Marcus Stone, and Chuck Younger. Honorary Pallbearers include Dr. Clarke Bozeman, Dr. Eddie Bozeman, Leroy Brooks, Allegra Brigham, Linda Brown, Coffee Drinkers and Employees at the Huddle House, Current and former Employees of Four County, Current and Former Board Members of Four County, Judge Hairston, Dr. John Harrington, Gary Holtman, Hillary Livingston, Jim Madison, Ken McCann, Cecil Robertson, John Rice Jr., John Rice III, David Sanders, Bill Threadgill, Earl Weeks, Hoot West, Joe Wiggins, Dr. Jay Wiygul, Tim Younger, Tom Younger, and Tommy Younger. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 32 Columbus, MS 39703 or to a charity of the donors choice.
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