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From Lillye Younger, The History of Decatur County Past and Present (Southhaven, MS: Carter Printing Company, 1978), pp. 413-415. Joseph Bailey Taylor, born in Shelby County December 31, 1867 moved to Henderson County while a young man and worked at a Stave mill at Ebenezer and Perryville. Formally he had worked as a streetcar conductor in Memphis.
He met and fell in love with Margaret (Maggie) Isabelle Middleton of the Ebenezer community. She was the daughter of Dr. John Alexander Middleton and Emily Jane White. Born January 30,1873. She became the wife of Joseph Bailey Taylor on November 30, 1899. To this union eight children were born, three girls and five boys.
Aside from public work, Mr. Taylor became a farmer and farmed both in Decatur County and Henderson County. They lived in Decatur County from 1927 until 1934, later moving a short distance east of Scotts Hill. He also worked at Pratt's cotton gin as a fireman of a steam boiler on the side.
The couple did an outstanding job of rearing the big family. So like the old saying "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" Mrs. Taylor as well as her daughters and even sons are immaculate housekeepers.
The father passed away on September 6, 1938 and the mother died July 3,1966. In later life Mrs. Taylor made her home with a daughter, Agnes Taylor, single, after she became incapacitated. Agnes lived in Jackson. Both parents are buried in Scotts Hill Cemetery.
The first one to bless the couple's home was Virgil, born September 24, 1900 with Charlie next who was born January 20, 1903. Then came Agnes, born March 20, 1905 and Ernest who was born June 6, 1907 then Opal who was born May 29, 1909. Malcolm Bailey (Mack) was born August 17, 1911. Last but not least in love and affection the couple had twins, Mae and Ray, born February 9, 1914.
Virgil, an employee at Madison County Courthouse in Jackson, married Geraldine Sansom in 1931. They are the parents of two children, Joyce Ann, who married Norwood Jones and Joseph Lawrence Taylor, married to Norma Richardson. They have a son named Mark. Joyce and Norwood are the parents of a son and daughter, Randy, who married Nelda Mathis and Leigh Ann, single, completing her college career. Parents and children live in Jackson, Tennessee.
Charley, a retired car salesman, married Bessie Austin of Scotts Hill in 1924 and they are the parents of two sons, Charles Austin Taylor, married to Leona Ogle and Norris Lee who married Charlotte Schrinner.
Agnes, single, retired saleslady born March 20, 1905 worked at the Scotts Hill Telephone Company as an operator when the town owned the Telephone company. Later she moved to Jackson where she was employed as a Saleslady until her retirement. She lives at 349 Greenwood Street in Jackson.
Charles and Leona have a daughter, Cathey Ann, who married John Cox. The couple live in Memphis. Norris Lee has a son, Steve and a daughter, Cindy and they make their home in Houston, Texas.
Opal, dietician at Henderson County Hospital, married Wylie Z. (Bill) Kelley of Scotts Hill in 1931. They had two sons, Joe Bailey, who married Brenda McPeake and Billy Wayne who married Judy Phillips. Joe Bailey and Brenda have a daughter, Shelia and a son Jeffery McPeake, who are students at Lexington Schools. Billy and Judy have a daughter, Donna Jill and a son Billy Jr. single. Donna Jill married Charles Stanford. Wylie Z. (Bill) passed away October 11th 1977 at Jackson Madison County Hospital and was buried in Lexington cemetery.
Malcolm Bailey (Mack), a farmer born August 17, 1911 married Lois Johnson, daughter of Hubert and Mittie Todd Johnson in 1931. They had a son, Jerry, who married Edith Davis of Parsons and a daughter, Marjorie, who married Wilburn Maness of Lexington. Jerry and Edith are the parents of a daughter, Renee, who is a freshman at Jackson State Community College in Jackson, Tennessee, Greg, A college graduate and James Malcolm, student at Riverside High School. The parents live on highway 100 near Decaturville and Jerry is a mail carrier and Edith teaches at Riverside High School. Majorie and Wilburn live in Lexington and are the parents of a son Rondal, a high school graduate. Lois Taylor passed away December 13, 1969.
Ernest a farmer married Fans Montgomery of Scotts Hill in 1931 and they are the parents of a son Harold, who lives in Jackson. He married Peggy Sykes and they are the parents of two children, Terry Lynn, single and Janet Ernestine who married Clyde Boren. They live in Jackson.
Callie Mae, born February 9, 1914, married Don Barrett, deceased. They had two daughters, Carolyn and Judy. Carolyn married Hilton Crawford and they are the parents of three children, Vickie, Larry and Rhonda. They live in Houston, Texas. Judy is single.
William Ray, born February 9, 1914 married Opal Taylor in 1951. They are the parents of a daughter, Lisa Carol who married Larry Riddell, and they have a daughter, Lisa Carol and a son Larry Ray, who attend Jackson Schools. They live in Jackson. Ray is employed at Wilbert Vault Company in Jackson.
Margaret (Maggie) Isabelle Middleton sisters and brothers married the following: Roxie Middleton married Robin Helms, Alfred Haywood, Middleton, born in 1868 married Ida Jones December 21, 1894 and a second time to Laura Denton.
Mary Frances Middleton, born in 1870 married Will Wyatt., William Cook Middleton, born April 28, 1871 married Pairlee Jane Jones December 20, 1896.
Martha Caroline Middleton, born in 1875, married Will Crosser. After the death of Will Crosser she married George White.
Alfred Middleton, father of John Middleton, gave the land for Ebenezer Cemetery and he was the first one to be buried there. |