House Concurrent Resolution 50

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MAYOR DAVID TAYLOR II OF HEIDELBERG, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on July 13, 2024, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mayor David Taylor II of Heidelberg, Mississippi, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and the entire community; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and particularly, the Town of Heidelberg and Jasper and Jones Counties, lost a loving father, husband, school teacher and town leader with the unexpected passing of 42-year-old Mayor Taylor, who grew up in Heidelberg and graduated from Heidelberg High School before earning a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Alcorn State University and a master's degree in secondary math education from William Carey University; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Taylor, sworn in as mayor on July 1, 2021, was just beginning the last year of his first yet highly productive term of office, during which he quickly fulfilled his campaign promise of bringing a grocery store back to town in order to help make healthy and fresh food options available to the community, alleviating Jasper County's designation as a food desert; and

WHEREAS, as expressed in his own words, Mayor Taylor loved "working with young people to help guide them to be better," and among his many projects championed during his brief time as mayor was the formation of the Mayor's Youth Council, an initiative aimed at engaging, educating and connecting young persons to their community; and

WHEREAS, for nearly 14 years, Mayor Taylor, a kind, gentle and intelligent man, was an educator with the Laurel School District, teaching advanced mathematics and serving as head coach of the varsity volleyball team and an assistant basketball coach, and in recognition of his outstanding service and genuine care for his students, he was honored by being named the 2019 High School Teacher of the Year for the Laurel School District and the 2016 Teacher of the Year for the Laurel ninth grade campus; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Taylor's loving spirit, dedicated service to bettering the lives of others, and steadfast commitment to improving his community earned him the respect and admiration of all who had the privilege of knowing him, leaving a legacy of kindness and inspiration that will endure for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Mayor David Taylor II, a gentleman held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of his beloved surviving wife, Shana, and their two children, David III and Bella, and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is most appropriate to recognize and honor the lives of selfless Mississippians, especially those such as Mayor David Taylor II, whose tireless contributions to the community in which he lived profoundly enriched his fellow Mississippians' quality of life, thereby benefiting the entire State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mayor David Taylor II of Heidelberg, Mississippi, and express deepest sympathy to his family, friends and the entire community upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of David Taylor II, the Town of Heidelberg, Mississippi, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.