Taylor McGown

Reverend Taylor McGown, whose life reflected the themes of justice and mercy, departed this life on December 21, 2008 in Bluffton, South Carolina just three weeks into his 72nd year. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he served in the U. S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Following military service, he earned a degree from The University of Memphis. He entered the Investment Banking industry, which led to his initial involvement as Director of Development for Evangelical Christian School in Memphis during the founding of the school. From there, he took his family to Mississippi to complete a theological degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson. Reverend McGown's first pastorate was Zion Presbyterian Church in Columbia, Tennessee from 1979-1981. He pastored several churches throughout the southeast before moving to Columbus, Mississippi as Executive Director of Palmer Home for Children. Eventually, he returned to banking, melding his experiences and handling investments for ministers. Throughout his life, Taylor lived with a deep sense of conviction for the fate of others' souls. He poured himself into ministry and sought to make life better for all those around him, specifically through Christian education. He is survived by his wife, Christine Matson McGown; daughters, Ingrid Maddox and her husband, Dale, of Taylorsville, Mississippi and Alexis Crump of Tampa, Florida; sons Cole and his wife, Amanda of Nashville, Tennessee and Curtis and his wife, Lisa of Orlando, Florida; brother Dr. Curtis McGown of Hilton Head, South Carolina and sister Betty Schneider of Columbia, South Carolina; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Visitation is Sunday, December 28, from 4-6 p.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee. Funeral services will be at Zion Presbyterian Church in Columbia on Monday, December 29, at 1:oo p.m. with Rev. Richard "Woody" Markert, Rev. Arch Warren, Richard Helm, and Cole McGown officiating. Burial will follow in Zion Churchyard. Friends are invited to visit with the McGown family following interment in Zion's Fellowship Hall. Memorials may be made to The Bible League, www.bibleleague.org or Samaritan's Purse, www.samaritanspurse.org. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.