Former Tupelo Councilman George Taylor leaves legacy of community service
Jan. 30—TUPELO — Community servant and former Tupelo city councilman George Taylor died over the weekend, but his long list of accomplishments will leave a mark on the All-America City for generations to come.
Taylor, 83, died on Jan. 27, 2024, at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was born on June 20, 1940, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the third child of Raleigh Vernon Taylor and Claribel George Taylor. He later moved with his family to Houston. After earning an accounting degree from Mississippi State University in 1962, Taylor joined the U.S. Air Force, in which he served until 1965. After his service, he moved to Amory, then Tupelo.
Taylor served as Ward 2 councilman in Tupelo from 1997 to 2005 and was a founding member of both the Major Thoroughfare Committee and the Neighborhood Development Corporation, in which he served as director. He later served as Treasurer for the NDC.
Former Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough, who served during Taylor's first term, said he met Taylor and his wife, Betty, in Houston while the two were dating in high school. McCullough was 3 or 4 at the time.
"George was a mentor to me; I love George ... I miss him, but he lived his life to be with the Lord," McCullough said. "He was always right on track; he meant a lot to many people; he is going to be missed. Tupelo is a lot better off because George Taylor came its way."
To McCullough, Taylor embodied public service, noting that throughout the years, he would meet with Taylor at his office in Reed Manufacturing whenever he had a big decision to make. Taylor, he said, was influential in the development of the Fairpark District.
"George's fingerprints are all over Fairpark," McCullough said, adding that Taylor helped create the bond issues that led to the purchase of the property and construction of what is now the seat of city government.
Taylor was also active in the local branch of national nonprofit United Way, a member of the Kiwanis Club, a board member for the Good Samaritan Health Services Antone Tannehill Clinic and volunteered with the Salvation Army during the holidays.
Attorney at Phelps Dunbar of Tupelo and Major Thoroughfare Committee Chair Greg Pirkle said he was extremely close to Taylor. The two served on the Major Thoroughfare Committee together and also attended the same church, Calvary Baptist Church, and sang in the Jim Long Livingston Quartet together.
"He was compassionate and strong in faith," Pirkle said. "He was on top of everything. He was very sharp and a great asset to his employers."
Pirkle noted that Taylor never failed to get in touch with him about anything, big and small. He noted that one of Pirkle's partners lived next door to Taylor, and when the partner went through a divorce, Taylor met his neighbor outside and walked with him into the home for the first time without his wife.
Pirkle noted that Taylor was also extremely gifted in finances, adding Taylor never got stumped by complicated transitions or financial work.
"His influence was widespread," said Pirkle, who served as an honorary pallbearer for Taylor's funeral. "He was the kind of person that friendship meant a lot to .... He had a big heart, and I was honored to be his friend."
