Isaiah Taylor

Isaiah “Boots” Taylor, 85 years of age, passed away Friday, March 18, 2016 at Carolinas Continued Care Hospital in Pineville, NC, surrounded by his family.

Boots was born on November 24, 1930 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to Benny Taylor and Henrietta Chatman Taylor Scott.

He grew up in Beggs, Oklahoma where he graduated from Wheatley High School in 1951. After high school he served in the United States Marine Corps and sustained a back injury during training. Due to his medical condition he later received a General Discharge under honorable conditions in 1952.

Boots worked in the construction industry for 25 years. Some of his finest accomplishments include building the Unit Rig along Route 66 in Tulsa, the 4,600’ long Keystone Dam, and the construction of the 76’ tall Golden Driller statue at the Tulsa fairgrounds, which was later adopted as a state monument. He then turned his passion for building into carpentry. His love for designing and building beautiful custom cabinetry continued for over 20 years. In 2004, after 56 years of employment, he retired from his labors.

Boots accepted Christ as his Savior early in life and grew up in the church of his grandmother, Sophie “Big Momma” Chatman. He remained a member of Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church throughout his life. His dedication to service was to the usher board and the church building fund.

On July 18, 1952, Boots married the love of his life, Velma Marie Williams. To this union of 63 years, God blessed them with four beautiful children, three sons and one daughter. While he most loved watching his children compete in school sports, Boots also enjoyed fishing and hunting; sharing his love for life with his friends and helping others in any way he could.

Boots was preceded in death by his parents, Benny Taylor and Henrietta Chatman Taylor Scott and infant son, Randolph Isaiah Taylor.

Boots is survived by his wife Velma of Beggs, Oklahoma; sons, Dennis Taylor and wife Ruby of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dale Taylor and wife Beverly of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter, Jeannie King and husband Henry of Concord, North Carolina; sister, Ann Taylor of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother, Mark Jones and Lorrie of Denver, Colorado; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and three great great-grandchildren; family members considered sons Sylvester Goudeau of Beggs, Oklahoma; George Wilson and wife Denise of Lawton, Oklahoma; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held at Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., 1601 South Wood Drive, Okmulgee, Oklahoma from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, March 25, 2016 with a wake service immediately following. The funeral service, officiated by Pastor Greg Lewis, will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at First Baptist Church South, 8064 Highway 16, Beggs, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Beggs City Cemetery. At other times, the family will gather at the home of Boots and Velma Taylor.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord, NC and Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc. of Okmulgee, OK are serving the Taylor family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com.