
| Name | James Robert “Bob” TAYLOR | |
| Birth | 18 Sep 1928 | Eupora, Mississippi [1] |
| Gender | Male | |
| HIST | of Sumter, South Carolina 63 Valentine's Days and counting Sumter couple reflects on long marriage Doris and Bob Taylor cut the first piece of their wedding cake after their wedding ceremony. Posted Tuesday, February 14, 2017 6:00 am Doris and Bob Taylor look through their wedding album. They were married on May 1, 1953, almost 64 years ago. IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM BY IVY MOORE IVY@THEITEM.COM It was 1951 when they met. She was a 28-year-old seminary student from Virginia; he was 24 and from Mississippi, also studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. At some point toward the end of their studies, Doris Virginia Mahanes and James Robert Taylor met. Was it love at first sight? "No, she chased me," Bob Taylor said, chuckling. Is that true? "Well ... ," his wife of almost 64 years said with a smile. What attracted them to each other? "We were both single," Bob said. Doris said, "He had a car - a green 1948 Plymouth." "That made her think I was rich," he said. Neither was wealthy, however. Both were children of the Great Depression. She remembers it well; her family had to move in with her grandmother. "The whole village was multifamily homes," she recalled. On their first date, Doris said, "Bob drove us home from church. We were supposed to go skating, but he didn't have any money." "Money was scarce," Bob agreed. On their subsequent dates, he said, "I took her to a little restaurant to buy her something to eat. We'd get a 15-cent honey bun. A toasted honey bun. They were good! Both of us drank water." Later dates were at Doris' uncle's house. "He had a TV," she said, "and on Saturday nights, they'd show a movie." Bob laughed, remembering that Oertel's Beer sponsored the films. "The host would be drinking beer at the beginning and drunk by the end of the movie," he said. When Doris graduated with her master's degree in religious education, Bob had one semester left before he'd be ordained. It would be two more years before they married. On May 1, they'll celebrate their 64th anniversary. Doris described their wedding with help from Bob. She looked through their wedding album, remembering the small, but elegant, ceremony in the chapel at the seminary. "Weddings didn't cost $35,000 back then," Bob remarked. The rental fee for the chapel was $35, "and they only served cake, punch and mints at receptions then," Doris said. The couple's honeymoon weekend seemed to foreshadow some of their later vacations. Doris pointed out they'd gotten married in Louisville on Kentucky Derby weekend, so "all the hotel rooms were taken. We had to go to Frankfort, to Fontana Village," which was then a small resort in the Smoky Mountains with cabins and a recreation center. "He made a belt, and I made a tray at that center," she recalled. On their 25th anniversary, they were supposed to stay in a castle in Germany, Doris said, "but we couldn't get to it because there was a lot of mud. We ended up eating our anniversary dinner in a small snack bar." Their financial situation improved when Bob joined the U.S. Air Force. He served as a chaplain, while Doris stayed at home until their youngest child was in high school. In his 23 years in the service, they traveled extensively, which she loved. They both said they'd never had a big fight or come close to separating. "Except when he decided to retire from the Air Force," Doris said. "I wanted him to stay in, and I wanted to stay in Lubbock until our son finished high school." Bob "felt it right to get out then," he said. "I don't remember any other fights, but it was very memorable." Bob said the secret to their long, happy marriage is "forgiveness," while Doris said, "It's commitment. We've had our problems, but we took our vows seriously. You expected to stay together then." "I don't think people enter (a marriage) with that attitude today," Bob said. "There was no such thing as a 'starter marriage' in 1953." While they've been together for more than six decades and raised five children together, the Taylors are quick to tell you they're not "joined at the hip" like some couples. "That's one positive thing," Doris said. "We let us be ourselves." While both were educated in a Baptist seminary, each has explored other denominations. Now, Bob attends Bible Fellowship Church in Sumter, while Doris drives to Columbia each Sunday to attend Shandon Presbyterian. They also attend separate classes at Shepherd's Center of Sumter. Neither is sentimental about anniversaries and holidays, so what will they do today to celebrate Valentine's Day? "I'm going to my (church) circle meeting," Doris said. Bob said, "I'm not much for celebrating holidays. We have two old cards from the past that we give each other over and over." He added, "I can't claim to be a romantic husband, but she puts up with me. She's a better partner than me." Doris smiled, the look in her eyes revealing much more than forgiveness and commitment, though those are very powerful attributes. A green 1948 Plymouth, a 15-cent toasted honey bun, a cup of punch and a piece of wedding cake, a handsome couple walking up the aisle in a small chapel, an enduring respect for each other, tinged with a sense of humor. These are among the things reflected back at her husband. Who also smiled. Do Bob and Doris feel the same as they did on that May Day in 1953? "No," Bob said. "Better." JAMES ROBERT TAYLOR Posted Tuesday, February 22, 2022 6:00 am James Robert "Bob" Taylor, 93, husband of Doris Mahanes Taylor, died on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at his home. Born on Sept. 18, 1928, in Eupora, Mississippi, he was a son of the late Daniel M. and Laura Bell Worthy Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a member of Bible Fellowship Church. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 23 years of service. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Taylor also served as chaplain at Wateree Correctional Center and retired from the S.C. Department of Corrections. He was active with Sumter Shepherd's Center and served as an officer. Survivors in addition to his wife of 68 years include four children, Beth Powell (Mike) of Sumter, Jane Duncan (Ben) of Gastonia, North Carolina, Scot Taylor (Michelle) of Florida and Kirk Taylor (Andrea) of Chicago; daughter-in-law, wife of the late Mark E. Taylor, Katrina Taylor of California; 13 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Bible Fellowship Church with the Rev. Dr. David Richardson officiating. A private burial with full military honors will be held in the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Bible Fellowship Church, 227 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29150. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. [1, 2, 4] | |
| HIST | of Sumter, South Carolina 63 Valentine's Days and counting Sumter couple reflects on long marriage Doris and Bob Taylor cut the first piece of their wedding cake after their wedding ceremony. Posted Tuesday, February 14, 2017 6:00 am Doris and Bob Taylor look through their wedding album. They were married on May 1, 1953, almost 64 years ago. IVY MOORE / THE SUMTER ITEM BY IVY MOORE IVY@THEITEM.COM It was 1951 when they met. She was a 28-year-old seminary student from Virginia; he was 24 and from Mississippi, also studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. At some point toward the end of their studies, Doris Virginia Mahanes and James Robert Taylor met. Was it love at first sight? "No, she chased me," Bob Taylor said, chuckling. Is that true? "Well ... ," his wife of almost 64 years said with a smile. What attracted them to each other? "We were both single," Bob said. Doris said, "He had a car - a green 1948 Plymouth." "That made her think I was rich," he said. Neither was wealthy, however. Both were children of the Great Depression. She remembers it well; her family had to move in with her grandmother. "The whole village was multifamily homes," she recalled. On their first date, Doris said, "Bob drove us home from church. We were supposed to go skating, but he didn't have any money." "Money was scarce," Bob agreed. On their subsequent dates, he said, "I took her to a little restaurant to buy her something to eat. We'd get a 15-cent honey bun. A toasted honey bun. They were good! Both of us drank water." Later dates were at Doris' uncle's house. "He had a TV," she said, "and on Saturday nights, they'd show a movie." Bob laughed, remembering that Oertel's Beer sponsored the films. "The host would be drinking beer at the beginning and drunk by the end of the movie," he said. When Doris graduated with her master's degree in religious education, Bob had one semester left before he'd be ordained. It would be two more years before they married. On May 1, they'll celebrate their 64th anniversary. Doris described their wedding with help from Bob. She looked through their wedding album, remembering the small, but elegant, ceremony in the chapel at the seminary. "Weddings didn't cost $35,000 back then," Bob remarked. The rental fee for the chapel was $35, "and they only served cake, punch and mints at receptions then," Doris said. The couple's honeymoon weekend seemed to foreshadow some of their later vacations. Doris pointed out they'd gotten married in Louisville on Kentucky Derby weekend, so "all the hotel rooms were taken. We had to go to Frankfort, to Fontana Village," which was then a small resort in the Smoky Mountains with cabins and a recreation center. "He made a belt, and I made a tray at that center," she recalled. On their 25th anniversary, they were supposed to stay in a castle in Germany, Doris said, "but we couldn't get to it because there was a lot of mud. We ended up eating our anniversary dinner in a small snack bar." Their financial situation improved when Bob joined the U.S. Air Force. He served as a chaplain, while Doris stayed at home until their youngest child was in high school. In his 23 years in the service, they traveled extensively, which she loved. They both said they'd never had a big fight or come close to separating. "Except when he decided to retire from the Air Force," Doris said. "I wanted him to stay in, and I wanted to stay in Lubbock until our son finished high school." Bob "felt it right to get out then," he said. "I don't remember any other fights, but it was very memorable." Bob said the secret to their long, happy marriage is "forgiveness," while Doris said, "It's commitment. We've had our problems, but we took our vows seriously. You expected to stay together then." "I don't think people enter (a marriage) with that attitude today," Bob said. "There was no such thing as a 'starter marriage' in 1953." While they've been together for more than six decades and raised five children together, the Taylors are quick to tell you they're not "joined at the hip" like some couples. "That's one positive thing," Doris said. "We let us be ourselves." While both were educated in a Baptist seminary, each has explored other denominations. Now, Bob attends Bible Fellowship Church in Sumter, while Doris drives to Columbia each Sunday to attend Shandon Presbyterian. They also attend separate classes at Shepherd's Center of Sumter. Neither is sentimental about anniversaries and holidays, so what will they do today to celebrate Valentine's Day? "I'm going to my (church) circle meeting," Doris said. Bob said, "I'm not much for celebrating holidays. We have two old cards from the past that we give each other over and over." He added, "I can't claim to be a romantic husband, but she puts up with me. She's a better partner than me." Doris smiled, the look in her eyes revealing much more than forgiveness and commitment, though those are very powerful attributes. A green 1948 Plymouth, a 15-cent toasted honey bun, a cup of punch and a piece of wedding cake, a handsome couple walking up the aisle in a small chapel, an enduring respect for each other, tinged with a sense of humor. These are among the things reflected back at her husband. Who also smiled. Do Bob and Doris feel the same as they did on that May Day in 1953? "No," Bob said. "Better." JAMES ROBERT TAYLOR Posted Tuesday, February 22, 2022 6:00 am James Robert "Bob" Taylor, 93, husband of Doris Mahanes Taylor, died on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at his home. Born on Sept. 18, 1928, in Eupora, Mississippi, he was a son of the late Daniel M. and Laura Bell Worthy Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a member of Bible Fellowship Church. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 23 years of service. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Taylor also served as chaplain at Wateree Correctional Center and retired from the S.C. Department of Corrections. He was active with Sumter Shepherd's Center and served as an officer. Survivors in addition to his wife of 68 years include four children, Beth Powell (Mike) of Sumter, Jane Duncan (Ben) of Gastonia, North Carolina, Scot Taylor (Michelle) of Florida and Kirk Taylor (Andrea) of Chicago; daughter-in-law, wife of the late Mark E. Taylor, Katrina Taylor of California; 13 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Bible Fellowship Church with the Rev. Dr. David Richardson officiating. A private burial with full military honors will be held in the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Bible Fellowship Church, 227 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29150. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. | |
| MILI | He joined the U.S. Air Force and served 23 years. He served as a chaplain. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 23 years of service. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. [1, 4] | |
| MILI | He joined the U.S. Air Force and served 23 years. He served as a chaplain. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 23 years of service. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. | |
| _UID | A17F0D1CDB1A4CC5817F104AE6B4EF2A5CF9 | |
| _UID | A17F0D1CDB1A4CC5817F104AE6B4EF2A5CF9 | |
| Death | 19 Feb 2022 | at his home, (Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina) |
| Burial | Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Fort Jackson, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina [4] |
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| Person ID | I307399 | Singleton and Related Families |
| Last Modified | 16 Mar 2022 | |
| Father | Daniel M. TAYLOR d. Bef 19 Feb 2022 | |
| Mother | Laura Bell WORTHY d. Bef 19 Feb 2022 | |
| _UID | 8CDE19481CAF438AB851AE2F442926C9A5AB | |
| _UID | 8CDE19481CAF438AB851AE2F442926C9A5AB | |
| Family ID | F86889 | Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family | Doris Virginia MAHANES, b. 20 Dec 1924 d. 14 Mar 2022, at her home, (Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina) (Age 97 years) | |||||||||||
| Marriage | 1 May 1953 | Louisville, Kentucky [1] |
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| _UID | 01272E17178F49CB92F59D6D27296F78EFBD | |||||||||||
| _UID | 01272E17178F49CB92F59D6D27296F78EFBD | |||||||||||
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| Family ID | F205975 | Group Sheet | Family Chart | ||||||||||
| Last Modified | 25 Feb 2022 | |||||||||||
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