Melvin Eugene Taylor

Melvin Eugene Taylor "Papa Gene", our dear father, passed away early Friday morning, July 31, 2015, at the age of 89. He was born in Piedmont, Ala. on April 14, 1926, the son of Verna and Will Taylor. He was raised with three sisters in Anniston, near the Utica Knitting Mill, where his mother worked as a seamstress. He was known by many names, Gene, Mel, Melvin, Mr. Taylor, Uncle Gene, Grandpa Gene and Papa Gene. At the age of 17, he met our mother, Jewell Miller, and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his tour of duty he worked in the Eye Division spotting & identifying aircraft to the officer of the day aboard the USS Philadelphia. He was aboard the decoy cruiser ship that escorted President Truman to the Potsdam Conference. Honorably discharged as Seaman First Class. He returned to Anniston and married Jewell Miller, living in Augusta and Columbus, Georgia. In 1956, they moved to California. He attended California Baptist College graduating with a BA in Bible and English. In 1963, opened Mel's Silver Bell Restaurant. Retired from the County of Riverside, Calif. at Riverside General Hospital as Food Service Manager at age of 59. Papa Gene enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, and mostly his yearly trips to South Dakota to assist on his daughter's family farm with cattle drives across the county. "A true city slicker". He is survived, by three daughters, Jeanne Wyatt (Jerry), of Oral, S.D., Joan McKinley (Bill), of Riverside, Calif., and Trina Wiener (Dr. Gregory), of La Jolla, Calif.; two sons, Steven Taylor, of Riverside, Calif., and Shawn Taylor (Laura), of La Habra, Calif. He was proudest of his 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife "Mama" Jewell (Miller) and his sons, Johnny and Joey. His memorial service will be held in Anniston, Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 12 p.m. in the Chapel at the Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Gardens, Golden Springs.