Rev. Finis Leroy Taylor

Services for Rev. Finis Taylor, 72, formerly of Lufkin will be held Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the First Missionary Baptist Church,410 Scarbrough St., Lufkin, TX. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. till time of services at the Church. Finnis Leroy Taylor, was born on April 4, 1946, being the ninth child often children born to the late Daniel Sr. and Maggie Taylor of Luflcin, Texas. He was a 1964 graduate of Dunbar High School. After graduating high school, he attended Prairie View A&M University to further his education, while also pursuing his love of football and track and field. He achieved many accomplishments such as setting records on the mile relay team in 1967, while being noted as the "Fastest in Texas History." In 1968 his senior year being named as the NEA-All-American Defensive Back for football. After graduating from Prairie View in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1969 during the 7th round which was another proud moment in his life. After playing for the Raiders for a year, he tried out for different other professional football organizations which led him to play for the Pennsylvania Semipro Football League for a year. When he returned back to Texas, he made his home in Baytown, for many years and worked for Lonza Chemical Plant as a Laboratory Chemist until his retirement in 2004. Finnis accepted our Lord Jesus Christ at an early age and accepted his calling to preach the Word of God in the late1990's at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, under the leadership of Pastor Charles Jackson. Until his death, he was a faithful member of Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, under the leadership of Pastor Terry K. Anderson since 2005. He was an active member of the Men's Choir and the Men's Sunday School Class. Finnis was a firm believer in the Word ofGod. He LOVED the Lord and he wanted to make sure that everyone he came in contact with knew that. After being diagnosed with leukemia on February 22, 2010, his faith in God and in the Word of God still REMAINED strong. He was determined to live his life to the fullest and he didjust that. He made sure of it. He was just THAT determined. He was so willing to help anyone. He was just that kind of MAN. Preceding him in death: Sisters, Ethel Stubblefield, Mandy Taylor. Jewelene Tanner; Brothers, C.B. Haffert, Rev. George Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Robert Taylor and Daniel Taylor. Finnis was a proud parent of five children; twelve grandchildren and fourteen greatgrandchildren. He leaves this earthly world to cherish his memory; his children, Demedric (Bug) Taylor, Denisia Taylor Jolly, Zena Taylor Reid, Byron Taylor (Erica) and Finisha Taylor,; his sister, Annie Cole; grandchildren by order of children: Delisia Young, Daione Alexander, Calandria Lamb, Shabrantny Jolly, Roosevelt Jolly IV, J'Corey Jolly, Devon Taylor, Lauren Taylor, Byron Taylor Il, Andre Thomas, Jr. and Lillian Thomas: A wealth of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Joshua1:9 . .Be Strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Rev. Finis Leroy Taylor

April 4, 1946 - August 30, 2018