Samuel Cornelius Taylor, Jr., 85 of Park Hall, MD, a loving brother, uncle, cousin and mentor departed this life on March 4, 2020. He was born on May 4, 1934 in Park Hall, Maryland to the late Samuel C. Taylor, Sr. and Mary Luvenia Matthews Taylor. He was eight of eleven siblings. Samuel was educated in the St. Mary’s County Public School system.Samuel, affectionately called “Sammy”, or “Uncle Sammy”, was a lifetime member of Zion United Methodist Church, Lexington Park, Maryland. He attended weekly Sunday services and served as church custodian until his health no longer allowed him to do so. Enjoying Gospel Hymns was a passion and he loved to sing those good old fashion spirituals. He would always sing “My Hope Is Built”, “Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross” and It Is Well With My Soul.” His favorite bible was the “Book of Jobs”. God is God and he makes no mistakes in our lives.Sammy had a happy spirit and a keen sense of wisdom. He greeted you with a warm and sturdy handshake. He was an avid reader focusing on worldly affairs and the political realm. He could communicate on any subject and was well read. Fine gardening; including flowers and vegetables were his expertise. A walking almanac guided his decisions on planting, and landscaping beautification. He enjoyed nature and all of its growth and changes. He also enjoyed Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Uncle Sammy never married or had children. However, he had numerous nieces and nephews that loved him and he loved them. God knew his future and five nieces and nephews were blessed to have been born and grew up in the same household with him – Delores Bailey, Rosalee Holly, Annie Sims, James Taylor and John Taylor. He was their surrogate father and substitute brother, and uncle and help to nurture them until they left the home.Although leaving the home; they never left him. They visited him daily and/or weekly check-ins. Upon his failing health and age, his niece, Annie became like a daughter to him. She and her husband, Richard Sims, took on total responsibility of him, becoming his protective and legal guardian. He had no worries because he trusted them to take good care of him. Never losing in mental capacity, he entered Chesapeake Nursing facility. He was the “Rock Star”, of the facility because he had so many visitors and dressed like he knew he had it going on. He had family and friends daily; therefore, never alone. He let it be known that when his time comes to leave this life, “I Don’t Want You Crying Over Me”; so sorry we are shedding tears. Thank you for the wisdom. We are better people because of you.Sammy leaves to cherish his memory one brother, James O. Taylor (late Sylvia), of Accokeek, MD and one sister, Rachel E. Christy (Stanley), of Millersville, MD, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers, George B. Taylor, Charles W. Taylor, James Hoover Taylor, John Henry Taylor, Willie Matthew Taylor, Clarence Edward Taylor; two sisters, Maggie Taylor Rhodes and Bertha M. Fenwick.Family and friends will unite on Saturday, March 14, 2020 for visitation at 10 am until time of service at 11 am at Zion United Methodist Church, 21291 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Interment to follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.
Uncle Sammy, you were far more than an Uncle to me. In addition to my parents, I had the privilege of being raised by you, for a great portion of my life, and so did many more of my other cousins. I know for me, especially during the summer months, I was there on Park Hall Road. You had a tough assignment to ensure that my cousins (Dewitt, DeAngelo, Rodney and I) were safe from harm and stayed out of trouble. I believe the staying out of trouble for four mischievous boys, was the hardest part, because we were something else. I can remember that as I began to become an adolescent, I learned that different people were related to me. So, I remember asking you how that worked? I can also remember you in a very “comical way” not providing me with the answer to some of those “heated” questions, although you knew the answer (Lol). Now anyone who knows you, definitely knows what I am trying to describe, because you probably had a very similar experience with Uncle Sammy. During our conversations, we would also talk about how you and your siblings grew up. Learning that information not only impressed me, but made even more proud of being a Taylor. That also confirmed what I already knew about you, and that was how intelligent you really were. I remember as a child watching daily, read the newspaper from front to back, I learned that from you. You had the ability to speak on any topic, which was impressive. You maintained that ability until you passed away. You were definitely a very proud man and set a standard for what it was to be a Taylor. Being a Taylor, failure was not an option and being educated was a must. I remember seeing sooo many people come to that house on Park Hall Road. I watched you provide wisdom and knowledge to many. You were a confidant, counselor, philosopher, educator, this list of adjectives just goes on and on. Time flies and with that, so does life. I can remember only five years ago (October 2015) at a Family Reunion, I had the honor of speaking about, in your presence. I was so proud to be able to do that. I can remember you saying, “yes everything that he said” and people laughed. During your stay in the Nursing Home, I made certain to come visit and spend time with you. I also knew that you weren’t supposed to have Kentucky Fried Chicken, but I still made certain to bring you some almost every visit. You did so much for me, so I wanted to try to give back. November 19th, my cousins (Dewitt, DeAngelo, Rodney and I) visited with you at the Nursing Home (Photo attached). That time still remains fresh in my mind and we captured that moment with several pictures, that I will always treasure. I visited with you on Tuesday February 25th, and things were not looking good. I was fearing for the worse. You were very weak and didn’t want to eat the chicken. I didn’t stay long and left you alone to rest, but I told you that I was coming back to see you the following week. I came back on Tuesday March 3rd and that was the last time I saw you alive. My Aunt Annie was there during that visit, as she has ALWAYS BEEN THERE. Later on, that night early in the morning on March 4th, you passed away. I hope that the rest of the family has given Annie the proper THANK YOU for being the primary caretaker for our Uncle Sammy. I know that he thanked her and so do I. While reading through your obituary, I had to chuckle to myself, when I read your favorite songs. I remember you singing, “My Hope is Built.” Boy do I have memories of you singing that song. You sang it loud and patted your foot as you simultaneously slapped your knee, that was definitely one of your favorite songs. Uncle Sammy although you are gone, trust me you will never be forgotten. What I have written here is truly no secret nor the first time that I have said these things about you and directly to you. I am just sad that, I am having to document some of the things here because it is telling me that you are now gone. I can only hope that I was able to show you, my appreciation for what you did for me and how you influenced my life. Even if I didn’t make to the Nursing Home, you can best believe that I was on the phone with my mother (Delores Bailey) asking about your health and well-being. If I learned that something wasn’t going well, then I was making a trip to St. Mary’s County. Although my cousins (I keep saying that – I have many) but I am referring to those three men who were and are like brothers to me (Dewitt, DeAngelo and Rodney) are grown men, we still have memories and laugh about some of the things that you said to us, in addition to those Friday trips to the laundromat with….AUNT MOLLY!!! Uncle Sammy because of you, I can now say that…”My Hope is Built”…Thank you, I love you, I miss you…Rest in Peace, your nephew Troy Bailey