Steve Jimmy Taylor, age 76, a beloved figure of Lexington, South Carolina sadly left our world on September 14, 2024, after a life richly lived in service and kindness. He was a great athlete who played football and basketball.  Steve was affectionately known as "Smeller."

Steve was a member of the Lexington Rosenwald High School class of 1966. He was a member of the Honor Society and President of the Student Body. While attending Rosenwald Steve played basketball four years as a point guard and football two years as a quarterback. While under the leadership of Coach Willie Simon, the team won four football State Championships and one basketball State Championship.

In 1966 Steve attended Allen University, in Columbia, South Carolina and played collegiate baseball. In August 1968 Steve was drafted into the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia and is a Vietnam War Veteran. He was stationed in Japan and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Steve played football and baseball in the Army. Steve completed his tour in 1970 and returned home to Lexington, South Carolina. He became a member of the Army National Guard. Steve returned to Allen University and graduated May 1974, with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Steve was a member of several organizations. He played baseball as a short stop for the Lexington A's. He was a member of the American Legion Post 217. He was known for his involvement with the Lexington Community Fun Day and the Neighborhood Block Party for his grilling skills. Steve loved cooking and grilling. He grilled for graduations, church activities, family, and friends. He was affectionately known as "The Grill Master." Steve loved cooking for his buddies on Mondays and Wednesdays, which were days of gathering for fun, laughter, and enjoying each other.  He loved fishing and looked forward to his "buddies" annual weekend fishing trip to McCormick, South Carolina. Steve enjoyed gardening and sharing his vegetables with family, neighbors, and friends. Steve's Thanksgiving tradition was to cook turkeys in the ground for family and friends.

Steve was a member St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Lexington, South Carolina. He was employed with Rheem Refrigeration Company for four years in West Columbia, South Carolina. After the company relocated, he worked for Michelin Tire Manufacturing Company in Lexington, South Carolina as a Curing Press Operator. He received awards for perfect attendance for most of his twenty-eight years at Michelin.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother Roxina Summers, father Jerry Taylor, brothers Frank Summers, Tyrone Summers, sister Cassandra Hatcher, and leaving a legacy through his wife Phyllis Davis Taylor of 55 ½ years, son Ricky (Lori) Taylor of Columbia, South Carolina, daughter Telshela (Barry) Cannon of Aiken, South Carolina, grandsons Devonta Taylor of Atlanta, Georgia, Justin Taylor of Columbia, South Carolina, brothers Jerry Riley of Battle Creek, Michigan, Jessie (Toni) Isreal of Piscataway, New Jersey, Simmie (Cassandra) Summers, Lexington, South Carolina, sisters Patsy Mitchell, Battle Creek, Michigan, Gloria Clark and Vera Gary of Lexington, South Carolina, sisters-in-law Linda Davis, Robin Jones, of Lexington, South Carolina, brothers-in-law Larry Rister, of Lexington, South Carolina, and Albert Jones of Plano, Texas, Goddaughter Santana Byrd, of Lexington, South Carolina, and a host of family, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

A public service for Mr. Steve Taylor will be held on Monday September 23, 2024, 11AM at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery.

The family would like to welcome all their family and friends to the repast that will be held at the family residence, 136 Simmons Lane, Lexington, SC.  This will begin at 2PM on Monday.