Henderson Kite Taylor (Yank)

Published 4:27 pm Thursday, August 10, 2023

On July 16, 1931 Henderson Kite Taylor (Yank) was the last of three sons born at Charity Hospital to the marriage of Joseph Taylor, Sr and Orelia Tousant Taylor in New Orleans, Louisiana.  He attended Booker T. Washington High School and worked multiple jobs before entering the United States Air Force in 1952.

A marriage to the beautiful matriarch Marguerite Collins from St. James, Louisiana began on September 21, 1957.  This union produced 3 children Orelia Belita Taylor-Gauthier, Henderson Kite Taylor II, and Oscar Deion Taylor.  Yank made a career of the United States Air Force which included serving in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, he was a true patriot!  Yank and Marguerite lived in multiple states and countries during his 20 years & 14 days of active-duty service to the United States of America, but the loving couple always found meaningful time to visit family between deployments.  Following his military retirement Yank was employed immediately by Union Carbide Chemical Company (Dow Chemical) until 1984.

Yank was all about family…..period!  His legacy of being the conduit for both sides of the family is truly legendary.  Always easy going, thoughtful, focused and loving.  His lifelong friends are family, and his children’s friends were treated as his own.  Yank was an avid golfer for over 65 years with three certified “Hole in Ones” to his name and multiple tournament wins.  He and Marguerite especially enjoyed the many golfing vacations they shared with friends and family along the Gulf Coast.  The stories about those trips are legendary!

Yank was preceded in death by his parents, Orelia Tousant Taylor and Joseph Taylor Sr, Uncle Oscar Collins & Aunt Louise Taylor Collins, three brothers – Joseph Taylor Jr., Wilford Taylor and Joseph Collins Sr., seven sisters – Georgiana Taylor Chapman, Sylvia Taylor Johnson,  Joanne Taylor Howard, Jessie Mae Collins Lumpkin, Georgiana Collins Ross, Augustine Wicks and Yvonne Collins Thomas.

Yank leaves to cherish his memory:  His loving wife, Marguerite Collins Taylor, three children – Orelia Taylor-Gauthier (Anthony), Henderson Kite Taylor, II (Lee Eura), Oscar Taylor (Denise).  Four grandchildren –  Darien, Brooke Louise, Jillian Orelia and Austin.  Three great-grandchildren – Brookelynn Marguerite, Mia and Millie.  Three brothers – Herbert Collins (Barbara), Edgar Collins (Jean), Alvin Collins (Julia Faye).  Two sisters – Saundria Taylor Washington and Wilhelmena Collins Richardson.  Six sister in-laws – Lucille Collins Dugar, Mary Helen Foote Taylor, Evelyn Anderson Collins, Barbara Riley Collins, Julia Faye Bissant Collins and Jean Bouie Collins .  In addition, an exceptional host of nieces and nephews that continue to make the family proud.

Lastly, a very special acknowledgement of appreciation for the cousins on both sides of the family for always being there during those moments in time that meant everything to Yank!

A celebration of life honoring Henderson K. Taylor Sr., will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at St.Luke Baptist Church, 5030 La-18, Saint James, LA 70086. Visitation begins at 9 am. Service will begin at 11 am. Interment to follow at St.Luke Baptist Church Cemetery, 5030 La-18, Saint James, LA 70086. Final care and professional services are entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services, 315 E. Airline Highway, Gramercy, LA 70052.

“When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a TREASURE” !!