Lewis Augustus (Ted)Taylor

Early Saturday morning, Lewis Augustus (Ted) Taylor was ushered through the gates of heaven into the presence of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born in Charleston, SC on December 27, 1921.

He was predeceased by his mother Thelma Thweatt Taylor Fitzgerald, his father Lewis A. Taylor, and his stepfather William Fitzgerald

He was raised in downtown Savannah on Broughton St. in the Old Fort area. At age eight, he sold newspapers at 3:00am on the corner of Whitaker and Broughton Sts. for several years. The Savannah News gave the newsboys membership in the YMCA that he enjoyed. In 1932 the family moved to East Liberty St. near Troup Square. He and his many friends in that area helped secure and stack boxes for the annual New Year's Eve bonfire. There were three downtown squares that had bonfires--Troup, Washington, and Greene. One year the Troup square boys raided boxes from the Greene square's storage area during the middle of the night. The next day a group of Greene square boys came armed with bats and bricks to reclaim their boxes. During the 1930's and 1940's he enjoyed going dancing at the Tybee Pavilion where they had big bands playing. He also liked to dance at the hotels, clubs etc.

He graduated in January 1940 from Commercial High School. He worked at Friedman Jewelers for a few months in 1940 and then started as a Clerk in August 1940 and later Assistant Chief Clerk for the FBI in Savannah. He also worked at the FBI after returning from the war in Chicago, IL. He resigned and enrolled at the University of Georgia and received a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) Degree in June 1950. He then accepted a position with Equifax, Inc. He retired from Equifax in 1984 as Claim Director, Savannah Branch office. He had been Assistant Manager in their Augusta, GA and Memphis, TN branch offices, and Manager of their Tupelo, MS branch office.

During World War II, he entered the U.S. Army in September 1943 and was honorably discharged in January 1946. He was a Staff Sergeant in the famous 26th Infantry Division, which was known as the "Yankee Division." He was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 26th Infantry Division Artillery and was awarded 4 Battle Stars and a Bronze Star for service in the European Theater. He fought in six countries including the Battle of the Bulge. The 26th was attached to the famous U.S. Third Army under the command of General George S. Patton. During the Korean conflict, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a 1st Lieutenant in an Intelligence Unit. His unit was not called for active service.

He and his beloved wife--Marian Dunsmuir Taylor--were married by John Wilder on December 16, 1950. They were happily married for 67 years. God blessed them with four children--Lewis, Steve, Pat, and Bruce--and later with their spouses, of whom he was very fond. He adored his four grandchildren--Arielle, Whitney, Cole, and Jacob--who affectionately called him "Papa Teddybear."

He was a former member of Taliaferro Baptist Church (name changed to WIBC) serving as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. He was a charter member of Whitemarsh Island Baptist Church (WIBC). At Whitemarsh he served as Deacon, Chairman of Deacons, and Treasurer. He taught Sunday School for 30 years. He enjoyed being with his church family on Sundays and special occasions.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marian Dunsmuir Taylor; his three sons and one daughter: Lewis Taylor Jr. of Savannah, GA, Stephen Taylor (Tois) of Kings Mountain, NC, Patricia Taylor (Al) of Walden, VT, and Bruce Taylor of Miami, FL; and his three granddaughters and one grandson: Arielle Taylor-Manges (Chris), Whitney Taylor Krawczyk (Tony), Cole Taylor, and Jacob Taylor.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:30pm on Tuesday, October 30th at Baker McCullough Funeral Home (7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406, 912-927-1999). The family will receive friends from 1:00pm-2:15pm. Remembrances may be sent to Whitemarsh Island Baptist Church, 59 Johnny Mercer Blvd, Savannah, GA 31410.



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