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.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal-News on Dec. 20, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Ellen TAYLOR

Sponsored by The Island Funeral Home & Crematory.

9 Entries

Nancy Haskin

December 14, 2021

Ellen and Charles were such amazing people, and I cherished their friendship which started at Centre College and continued in our early marriage years. I regret I didn´t live close enough to continue to be with them in later years and share more memories.

Nancy Haskin

August 25, 2021

I was so sorry to find out that Ellen had died. She was one of my best friends at Centre College. I was trying to get in touch with her, and when I couldn´t reach her, I discovered her obituary. I would love to talk to one of her children. You could email me at [email protected] and send me your number to call.

Beverly & Bob Gackenbach

December 23, 2020

A gracious lady. Excellent leadership skills. A tremendous leader for the Memorial Committee. We loved her kindness and commitment working with her on memorial committee events. A class act. God received an angel.

Debbie Cook

December 23, 2020

Dear Taylor family,
The Cook family sends their sympathy, please know that our thoughts & prayers are with you all during this time. She was such a part of our church life, teacher, fellow deacon, elder and friend, she will be missed !
Ty, Debbie, Tayloe and Andy

Tina Puckett Fields

December 23, 2020

I grew up in Middletown where Taylor appliances was well known to me. I was so happy when I had the opportunity to have Ellen Taylor for my teacher at Manchester Middle School. It saddens me to hear of her passing, but I can tell she had a wonderful family and I pray for them during this sad time. God Bless. Ellen, you will be missed.

R. Seaton Holt

December 22, 2020

Ellen never took a bad photo! She was always kind and considerate & generous with us Richard Holts here now in Florida. My memories of her being a cousin, a "big" cousin, because I was perhaps 4 or 5, playing on the floor and she was tall like all the others. She the near oldest, me the youngest of our generation. (Thanksgiving meals & visits to their farm) In the last 20 years, we talked on the phone mostly, and she to my parents. I visited her once in Hilton Head, her new townhouse just finished. She took me to dinner at the Sunset Grille (?), A lovely evening where we got to laugh and laugh over a tasty meal with sunset happening as well. I'm saddened to know she's gone, but glad she's at rest.

Jean E Tharin

December 22, 2020

Many special memories with this amazing lady! Sending condolences to the entire Taylor family.

Jane and Bob Wintz

December 22, 2020

Ellen was charming, caring, giving and beautiful inside and out. She personified a lyric from a favorite Broadway musical - “her heart was made of holidays”.

Terri Brashears

December 20, 2020

Ellen’s generosity and acts of kindness is evident throughout the Lowcountry. Hopeful Horizons and the many other nonprofits are forever grateful.

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