TAYLOR, Ellen

TAYLOR, Ellen Holt

Ellen Holt Taylor, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on December 9, 2020, in Hilton Head Island, SC. We celebrate her reunion in heaven with her beloved husband, Charles E. Taylor, who preceded her in death in 2008 after 52 years of marriage. Also preceding Ellen in death were her parents Harris B. and Anne Rosemary B. Holt, her brother Richard Holt, her sister Ann Lew Dennison, and her granddaughter Melissa Anne Taylor.

Ellen was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a degree in education. Ellen and her high school sweetheart, Charles, were married in 1956 and moved to

Lebanon, Ohio. In 1964 they moved to Middletown, Ohio, where they opened their first business, Taylor Appliance and Kitchen Center in the Middletown Shopping Center.

During her years in Middletown, Ellen taught 6th grade at Manchester Middle School. Ellen's church family at First

United Methodist Church was an important part of family life, with the music program being a special love. Ellen and Charles were instrumental in establishing an ecumenical mission group, P.R.O.M.I.S.E.S., and with the help of missionary Ivan Dornan, arranged several musical mission trips to Japan over a 20-year span starting in 1969.

In 1982 they embarked on a new adventure moving to Hilton Head Island and founding Shoreline Rental Company, a vacation rental business on Hilton Head Island, SC.

Ellen and Charles loved the Iowcountry and quickly discovered their new church family at First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head. Ellen's strong faith guided her to create and nurture several programs at First Presbyterian Church. She established the Volunteer Ministry Program, serving as its first director for 2 years. She also started the Knitting Ministry and developed the Bereavement Ministry's memorial receptions as a loving outreach.

Ellen and Charles were avid supporters of the arts on Hilton Head and were influential in the creation of the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. They also were strong leaders and

supporters of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. Ellen founded the Hilton Head Orchestra League which still serves as a major support for the Symphony Orchestra.

Family was always an important part of Ellen's life. She is survived by her children Mark A (Ginny) Taylor, Renee (George Darren) Taylor, and C. Matthew Taylor along with her 4 grandsons, Joshua (Mary) Taylor, Charlie (Carolyn) Taylor, Joey Taylor and Dakota Sabados and one great-granddaughter, Stella May Taylor, all who live in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, SC.

A private committal service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, SC. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Pkwy., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, or Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville, 4500 San Pablo Rd. South, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

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