Algie Taylor
April 17, 2010
Mrs. Algie Keelen Taylor went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the age of 86 years.
Her visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2010 at Spry Memorial Chapel, Russellville. Her body will lie in state from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Rockwood Baptist Church, with the funeral following at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Rev. Sammy Taylor. Burial will follow at Knights of Pythias Cemetery.
The pallbearers will be Greg Beasley, Terry Welborn, Daryl Swims, Jonathan King, and Riley Welborn.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Taylor Leathers (husband, Lionel) of Winfield, AL; son, Rev. Sammy Taylor (wife, Judy) of Phil Campbell, AL; sister, Alta Mae Keplinger, Muscle Shoals; brother, Floyd Keelen (wife, Hester) of Indiana; her beloved grandchildren, Murray Taylor Leathers (wife, Brittany), Florence, Marvin Lionel Leathers, Jr. (wife, Sally) Pittsburg, PA; Kyle Matthew Taylor (wife, Katie), Russellville, AL, Corrie Beth Taylor Clay (husband, Shane), Hayden, AL; and her only great-grandson, Canaan Nicholas Clay, age 5, of Hayden, AL.
Mrs. Taylor was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Rev. Billy Taylor, former pastor of the Rockwood Baptist Church, Russellville, AL. Also preceded her in death was her parents, Oscar & Kate Burks Keelen, formerly of the Mt Hebron community; one brother, William Andrew “Bill” Keelen and wife, Vivian, Russellville; one sister, Mildred Keelen; one infant grandson, Samuel Bryant Taylor, Jr.; and many dear friends she shared a joyous life with throughout the years.
Mrs. Taylor was a lifelong resident of Franklin County. She was a 1945 graduate of Phil Campbell High School and a graduate of Florence State Teachers College, presently UNA. She had an illustrious career in education that spanned some 37 years. She taught at Dime School and Gravel Hill School before establishing Franklin County’s first special education class at Phil Campbell High School under principal James Glasgow. She taught briefly at Mt. Star Junior High and served several years at Rockwood Jr. High School with Mrs. Thelma Richey in the Franklin County’s first speech and hearing impaired class. She finished her teaching career at Belgreen High School. Mrs. Taylor was on ongoing instructor of Adult Education and an active member of the Mt. View Baptist Church, Phil Campbell, before her convalescence. Prior to moving to Phil Campbell, she was a resident of the Rockwood Community and a member of the Rockwood Baptist Church for 35 plus years.
Mrs. Taylor was a member of the Franklin County Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed politics and served several terms on the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee. Her true passion was her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a devoted participant in all their school, church, and extra-curricular activities.
She was a fun-loving and outgoing individual, a good judge of character, and never met a stranger. To use her words, “I just love to be around people.”
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kevin Kelly and the exemplary staff of Russellville Health Care. The love, joy, and dignity extended to the residents on a daily basis does not go unnoticed and will be rewarded by our Father in Heaven.
