Royce Harland Taylor age 91, of Pine Bluff, laid down the working tools of life and was promoted to his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. He was born in New Edinburg, Arkansas on February 26, 1933 to the late Leroy Charles Taylor and Gussie Doris Blair Taylor. He graduated from Woodlawn High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Henderson State Teacher’s College.
After graduation, he was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the United States Army and entered officer’s school at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then stationed at Fairbanks, Alaska where he was promoted to First Lieutenant.
After his military service, he was employed by Tri-State Mill Supply Company in Pine Bluff and was later transferred to Warren as a branch manager. He later worked in Conway and Camden as a branch manager and outside salesman. From there he was transferred to Portland, Oregon and was named vice-president of the western division of Tri-State and established branches in Portland and Eugene, Oregon, Eureka, California, and Bellingham, Washington. After 15 years, he was transferred to Crossett, Arkansas as administrative vice-president where he retired. After retirement, he and his brother-in-law established Glover and Taylor Asphalt Pavers which they operated for several years.
Very active in Masonic circles, Royce was a dual member of both Millcreek Lodge in Cleveland County Jacob Brump Lodge number 160 in Pine Bluff where he was a Past Master. He was also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and was elected secretary-recorder of the Grand York Rite of Arkansas. He loved his Masonic work and taught masonic education programs to many members of the fraternity.
Royce was a former member and deacon of Broadmoor Missionary Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school and was choir director. Royce loved teaching the Bible, doing church work, and spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Mary Frances Peek Taylor on March 25, 2023; his sister and brother-in-law, Patsy and Arnis Glover; his son-in-law, Paul Edmondson; and a second daughter whom he raised, Carol Shepard.
Survivors include his daughter, Terry Taylor Edmondson of Pine Bluff; grandchildren, Nicole Edmondson Phillips (Anthony) of Nantes, France and Royce Edmonson (Lindsey) of Woodlawn; ten great-grandchildren; and extended family, Sara Olsen (Wade) of Kodiak, Alaska and Adam St. John of Bozeman, Montana.
Visitation was held on Friday, May 17, 2024, at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Chapel. The funeral service followed and Brother Steven Tiner officiated. Masonic Funeral Rites followed. Royce was buried in Union Cemetery at Rye in Cleveland County with Military Funeral Honors.
Memorials may be made to Texarkana Baptist Children’s Home, 5401 E. 9th Street, Texarkana, Ark. 71854.
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