Gulfport
Funeral Home
Hart well Christian Mortuart
Visitation
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 10-11 AM, Forrest Heights MBC, 5215 Ohio Avenue, Gulfport, MS
Service
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 11 AM, Forrest Heights MBC, 5215 Ohio Avenue, Gulfport, MS
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Airman and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on September 22, 2024 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Master Sergeant Kenneth Earl Taylor, age 70, who had served within the MSANG within the 209th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) and the 173rd CES at the Gulfport CRTC has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Airman. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Airman has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Airman for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
Kenneth Earl Taylor was born in Monticello, MS on July 10, 1954. His family move to Gulfport, MS when he was four years old. Kenneth attended North Gulfport High School from 1st-9th grade. After the integration of schools, Kenneth attended Harrison Central High School 10th-12th grade where he graduated. Kenneth married Annie Taylor on February 23, 1974. Kenneth accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Gulfport. He later joined Forrest Heights Missionary Baptist Church where he was one of the first founding Deacons. He served as Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher, and financial treasurer. Kenneth served as Bible study teacher at Frances Fredricks Senior Center for several years. Kenneth joined the Air Force and the Air National Guard. He served a total of 32 years. He retired from the military in 2008. He worked at Pececo, Ingalls Shipyard, and Halter Marine where he was a welder and pipe fitter. He was promoted to Supervisor over the welders and pipe fitters for many years. He worked as a HVAC Technician at the Air National Guard Base where he retired in 2016. Kenneth was one of the first little league baseball coaches in the North Gulfport community. He was also a little league football coach for the Orange Grove community league.
Kenneth Earl Taylor transitioned peacefully at home the morning of Sunday, September 22, 2024, with his wife Annie Taylor by his side.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Baggett and Joyce Taylor Jack; four brothers, James Taylor, Excell Jack Jr., Ananise Jack, and Larry Baggett; and three sisters, Earnestine Baggett, Ethelene Jones, and Billie Baggett.
He leaves to cherish his legacy:
His loving and devoted wife of 50 years, Annie Lou Taylor. Five children: Daughter Kanesha(Patrick) Magee, Son Kenneth J.(Vertrecia)Taylor, Daughter Kenyatta Young, Son Adrian(Debby) Taylor, and Daughter Katie Taylor. He has 10 grandchildren: Alexus Holloway, Kiera Taylor, Kenneth Taylor Jr., Arnesha Young, Adriane Young, Asia Young, Angel Young, Adrian Taylor Jr., Adriel Taylor, Adria Taylor; and 2 great-grandchildren, Allyse Gardner and Aiden Matthews.
He also leaves seven brothers: Donald Taylor, Vincent Jack, Willie Baggett, Pastor Clarence Baggett, Alphonso Baggett, Linza Baggett, and Andrew Smith. Four sisters: Norfleet Jack Smith, Celestine Thompson, Jenifer Jenkins, and Beverly Baggett. He also leaves aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins to cherish his legacy.