John Taylor

The visitation will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 9:00am at Mt. Zion M. B. Church, 1444 S. Compton. The service will start at 11am. The interment will be held at Jefferson Barracks at 1:30pm will military honors. Jonathan Edward Taylor was born May 6, 1944 to Amos and Lillie Taylor in Jackson, Mississippi. Both parents preceded him in death. John was reared by his great aunt, Lillian Taylor-Anderson (MaDear). John attended Soldan High School where he was a gifted athlete. He furthered his education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Southern Illinios University-Edwardsville where he accomplished his goals when he received his degree in Business Administration. John served in the U. S. Army as a Private Parachute Trooper where he received his Expert (Rifle K-14) National Defense Service Medal. He later joined the Army Reserves where he became a Sergeant E-5. John met Yvette Akins and on September 5, 2000, the two became one through marriage. To this union, no children were born. John worked for the Missouri Athletic Club and was a Counselor at Pierre Laclede School. He was also proud to be the Board of Elections Manager for the 19th Ward. He was no stranger to anyone. He enjoyed life and sharing with others that joy through his fun-loving, engaging and comedic conversations. When you encountered John, you were in for quite an exchange. John accepted Christ at an early age. Throughout his walk with Christ, he served as a Junior Deacon at West Side M. B. Church and also served as an active member in the Male Chorus at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. John later joined the Mt. Zion M. B. Church, where he became an active disciple and a member of the Male Chorus. John loved to sing and praise God. He was a spirit-filled man who loved God and was not afraid to express how good God was to him through song. John leaves to cherish his memories, a loving wife ~ Yvette; children ~ Reggie, Marina, Janie, Minister Jonathan, Vanita, Rashonda, Ramel and Jonathan; step-children ~ Robert (Tammy) and Quana; a host of grand and great-grandchildren; an aunt ~ Eva Mae Stevenson; father and mother-in-law ~ Howard, Sr. and Janie; sisters-in-law ~ Lula, Marcia, Sostina, Janie and Sherri; brother-in-law ~ Howard, Jr.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; three very close friends ~ James, Dan & Leroy; and his newfound friends at the Mount Zion Church and Senior Buildings.