Obituaries for the week of July 1

Taylor Smith

Taylor E. Smith, 91 of Royse City, formerly of Detroit, Mich., died June 23, 2009.

He was born March 31, 1918, in Sawyerville, Ala., to Taylor and Pearlene (Wilson) Smith. Mr. Smith was a Mason for nearly 60 years at the Prince Hall Lodge, a Shriner, and a member of Unity Baptist Church in Detroit, Mich. He coached boxing all of his life at Kronk Gym and was a member of Ring 32. Mr. Smith worked as a bus driver for the City of Detroit.

He is survived by his sister, Minnie Jones of Detroit, Mich.; daughters Marjorie Caliman of Gardena, Calif., Carrie Young and husband John of San Antonio, and Mary Culp and husband Rev. James Culp of Royse City; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ann Smith; son Eddie Cunningham Jr.; a daughter, Clara Belle Shanklin; and sisters Virginia and Flora Belle.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., June 27, at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Royse City Chapel with Rev. James Herndon officiating. Interment will take place at a later date in Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit, Mich.

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