Lawrence Edward Taylor

Lawrence Edward Taylor, 74

On All Saints Day: November 1, 2016, God perfected his plan for the life of Lawrence Edward Taylor. At  age 74, Lawrence: husband/father/brother/cousin/uncle/friend transitioned peacefully from his earthly home in Laurel, Maryland with his loving wife by his side to join the larger body of saints who have attained their home in heaven with our loving God by their side.

Lawrence made his grand entry into this world on March 21, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to his beloved parents Willie Edward Taylor and Jewel Ruth Jones Taylor. He began his formative years in Memphis and later pursued his advanced studies at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskeegee, Alabama. Upon completing his studies there, Lawrence moved to Los Angeles, California where he attended Otis College of Art and Design before becoming an aerospace engineer.

In 1985 Lawrence exuded an enterprising spirit and established his own architecture firm, specializing in the design and renovation of residential properties. His expertise in the field will be especially remembered as his artistic skill and his distinctive architectural style can be appreciated all over Los Angeles and the surrounding vicinity. Lawrence’s work was sought after and celebrated by esteemed actors, athletes, entertainers, and prominent business-people for his modern and grand designs.

Lawrence’s relocation to Los Angeles not only provided him with an established reputation for his design talents, it was also there that he discovered the love of his life. On November 5, 1966, Lawrence married Vermel Eloise Greene in a small ceremony at St. Michael’s Church in Los Angeles. They built a family together in Inglewood, where they nurtured two children, Jennifer Eloise and Lawrence Dwayne. Lawrence was in love with his family and fiercely devoted to them. When their children were ready to venture on their own, Lawrence and Vermel relocated to their very own “empty nest” in Sierra Madre, CA where just the two of them lived and loved before retirement.  There Lawrence enjoyed walks through the neighborhood, traveling, and sports; especially baseball.

In the fall of 2012 Lawrence and Vermel packed up their love for a third time and flew their affections to Laurel to extend their nurturing to their two grandchildren, Darien Lawrence and Taylor Eloise-Doretha. Lawrence was elated to be joined with his grandchildren. He delighted in sharing his passion and skill in baseball with Darien; and had a special bond with his “Precious Heart” Taylor, who called him “Precious Heart” or “Grand Heart.”

Throughout their married life, Lawrence attended Mass with his family and in August 2016 made the decision to convert to Catholicism. He was a worshiper at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church in Laurel.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Edward Taylor and Jewel Ruth Jones Taylor. His loving survivors who will cherish his memory include: his wife of 50 years, Vermel Eloise Taylor; his daughter, Jennifer Eloise Birks (Mandrell), his son Lawrence Dwayne Taylor; his grandchildren Darien Lawrence Birks and Taylor Eloise-Doretha Birks; two sisters, Willa Stine DeRamus and Glenda Taylor Seymour (James); brother- and sisters-in-law, close cousins, nieces, nephews, and long-time friends.

A viewing and Rosary will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Donaldson’s Funeral Home, 313 Talbot Avenue, Laurel, MD. The funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, November 7, 2016 at St. Mary of the Mills, 106 St. Mary’s Place, Laurel, Maryland. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD.

Relatives and friends are welcome immediately after the burial at the home of Vermel Taylor, 12228 Valerie Lane, in the Montpelier neighborhood of Laurel, MD.