Olin Taylor

Mr. Olin Taylor, 81, of Preston, MS passed away at his residence Saturday, September 7, 2024. A funeral service will be held at Vernon Baptist Church Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be held in the Church cemetery following the funeral services. A visitation will be held Monday from 5-7:30 p.m. at Cockrell Funeral Home in Macon, MS. Memorials may be made to Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery, 3538 County Line Rd., Preston, MS 39354. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Olin Taylor was born in Shuqualak, Mississippi on June 16,1943 to the late Rosalie Thomas Taylor and Olen Baker Taylor. He was a graduate of Shuqualak High School and was named “Lineman of The Year” in the south division of the Big Black Football Conference his senior year. He was also named “Mr. Shuqualak High School” as well that year. He attended East Mississippi Junior College and then entered the construction industry. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on May 11,1965 and served in the Viet-Nam Conflict in active service for two years and then another four years on Active Reserve. He received numerous service medals and commendations during his service time and received his full Honorable Discharge on May 10, 1971. After his military service, he returned to work in the road construction industry, shepherding construction crews as foreman for several construction companies until his formal retirement in 2001. Never one to be idle, he continued to operate heavy equipment for various individuals for the next twelve years or so. Olin’s greatest past-time was his love for the Ole Miss Rebels. His knowledge of and ability to recall statistical information and anecdotes about the Ole Miss sports teams was unsurpassed by anyone. Olin’s support for Ole Miss, both physical and financially, covered over seven decades and many fond memories were made while traveling to Ole Miss sporting events with his comrades David Bouchillon, Glenn Pendergrass and Carothers “Tut” Kellis. In his retirement years, Olin enjoyed gardening and loved taking his grandchildren to the “watermelon patch”. He also worked diligently to have great fishing spots for his family and friends. Olin was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Opal Gill and by his three brothers: Otis Taylor, Joe Taylor, and Ralph Taylor.

Olin Taylor is survived by his wife of 55 years: Annette Weaver Taylor; his daughter: Amanda Purvis (Shannon) of Philadelphia, MS and his two sons: Mark Taylor (Amy) of Philadelphia and David Taylor of Preston. Also left to mourn his passing are his grandchildren: Taylor Clark, Emma Taylor and Maggie Taylor as well as sisters in law Jean Taylor of Columbus, MS, Frances Taylor of Wesson, Betty Jean Taylor of Shuqualak, and Pam Weaver of Nanih Waiya. Also surviving Olin is one brother-in-law: Roy Stokes of Preston and many nieces and nephews.