Obituary of Harold E. Taylor, Sr.

Harold Everett Taylor, Sr., 91, of Howell passed from this life on Sunday, July 28, 2019.  Harold is now reunited with his loving wife Luella. He was born in Freehold, raised in Marlboro and Neptune, and settled in Howell in 1956. Harold met his wife, Luella, and raised six children, Ira, Harold, Luella, Helen, Betsy, and Mina. Their children grew up on “Taylor Farm” in Howell, New Jersey. The Taylor children were then blessed to have their children grow up and experience their childhood at the Taylor Farm.  It was at the family homestead that Harold farmed and raised various animals.

The Taylor Farm became known to all family and friends for having picnic reunions throughout the years.  Family and friends who attended would look forward to the barbeque roasted pork and good home cooked food prepared by Harold, Lue, and many others.  The “Picnic” as it was affectionately called will be remembered by family and friend of summers at the Taylor Farm.

Harold began his working career as an owner of an Amoco gas station in Neptune. Harold was the youngest black business owner in Neptune. He sold his business, then went into long haul trucking. He continued working as a heavy-duty equipment operator on several state road projects. Harold worked for the New Jersey Department of Transportation until his retirement.

Harold and Luella enjoyed spending time together with family and friends at the Taylor Farm. He was lovingly called “Snookie” by his family and they would know that his door was always open to enjoy spur of the moment family get togethers. They traveled the United States throughout the years.  Most of all, Harold and Luella loved and enjoyed being around family and friends. Harold prided traveling the continental United States except for Hawaii for he would not fly or take a big boat.

Harold was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Luella Paige Taylor; son, Harold E. Jr.; brothers: Bernard, William, Donald, Thurston, Joseph and Carl; daughter, Betsy Rodgers; son-in-law, Roland Spruill. He is survived by his children, Ira Taylor and his wife, Claudia of Howell, Luella Spruill of Orlando, FL, Helen Kathy Spencer and her husband, Aaron of Chester, SC, and Wilhelmina Taylor of Chester, SC; grandchildren, Ira-James, Claude, Jason, Sabrina, LuWana, Latasha, Ariana, Aaron, Jr., Anthony, Devon, Beth, and Kevin; ten great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Rosalie Paige, Dorothy Taylor, and Petra Taylor; brother-in-law, Roy White, Sr.; and son-in-law, Sam Rodgers. He also leaves his loving niece, Ruth Ann Paige with a host of family and friends.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM with his funeral service to follow. Interment will follow in Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.