Van Taylor Sr.

Van Taylor, Sr. entered eternal rest on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at 12:37 a.m. at West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero LA. He was a native of New Orleans and a longtime resident of Harvey LA. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army. Van excepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church in Harvey LA. by the late Rev. John Francis Jr. Van was previously employed with the Hydril Company before going to work for Jefferson Parish Roads and Bridges Department and General Services Department. In March of 1999 Van was named "Supervisor of the month and employee of the year due to his dedicated leadership and service. He retired from the General Service Department in 2013 with 27 years of dedicated service. Van was a well-known track and football coach at the Martin Luther King Jr. Playground for over 20 years. His players called him "Coach Van" and he was awarded "volunteer of the year" at the playground in April of 1995. He attended Elm Grove School, Gretna Jr. High and West Jefferson High School as well as Holy Cross College. Son of the late Samuel Herman Taylor Sr. and the late Duetta Grant Taylor Coleman. Stepson of the late Royal Coleman. Devoted husband of 41 years to Sharon Helaire Taylor. Beloved father of Shondra Anderson (Eric Sr.), Chandra (John), Van Jr. (Whitney) and Vincent Taylor. Grandfather of Micah, Leon Jr., Eric Jr., Madison, Evan, Christian, Ethan, Ean, Eden, Brooklyn, and the late Jordyn Skye Javery. Brother of Bessie Lonon, Verna Frazier (Roy), Dana Black (Kenneth), Yvette LeBlanc, Nadrienne Hawkins, Fay Taylor, Mona Taylor, Samuel Taylor and the late Elaine Taylor Rodgers, Wanda Taylor, and Rodney Taylor. Grandson of the late Ella and Charles Grant and the late Bessie and August Taylor Sr. Son-in-law of Ruthie Helaire. Brother-in-law of Elaine Granger (Andrew), Gloria Smith (Reginald), Monica Helaire (Bryan), Rosalind Byrd (Jeffery), Kenneth Helaire, Rodney Helaire and Ronald Helaire. Special friend of Cornel Garrison, Percy Small, Rene Anderson, Errol Matthews, Shone Bush, and Terrence Wilson. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and devoted friends and former track and football players he mentored for many years. Relatives and friends of the family and current and former players of Martin Luther King Playground are invited to attend the funeral service on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at the Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church located at 817 Grefer Ave., Harvey LA. 70058. The visitation will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. service. Pastor Keith Paul Stewman will officiate, and interment will follow in the Evening Star Baptist Church Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, everyone in attendance must wear a facemask or other proper facial covering. Funeral planning entrusted to Robinson Family Funeral Home, 9611 LA-23, Belle Chasse LA. 70037, (504) 208-2119. For online condolences, please visit wwwRobinsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.