The Legacy of Reverend Dr. Taylor Scott

A single tear marked the end of life for Reverend Dr. Taylor Scott IV at 7:36 AM on Friday, May 5, 2006. Beside him were his beloved wife, Carol, his daughter, Carter, his son, Taylor, and dear family friends Ron and Maggi Hall. Departing the living didn’t come easy to this man who loved life and lived life fully.

He leaves behind a rich legacy as a Priest, husband, father, humanitarian, scholar, educator, and so much more. His love for the written word and his zeal for reading equaled only his devotion for the Eucharist. For Taylor, the man and the Priest, the Eucharist was enormously meaningful and it remained so until the very end. In fact, it was the last conscious act of his life.

Taylor Scott was born in the year 1931 to parents who instilled the love of history and the gift of knowledge that would sustain the man, Taylor Scott, his entire life. He entered the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1956 after gaining his B.S. degree from the University of Virginia in 1953. From 1956 to 1957, Taylor became Chaplain and Master of Sacred Studies at St. Christopher School for Boys in Richmond, Va. Two years later he became the Assistant Rector at the Christ Church in Charlotte, N.C. In 1961, he became Rector of All Saints Church in Greensboro, N.C.

Taylor never satisfied with the status quo and his ever-growing desire to gain more knowledge mastered the art of leading his flock while simultaneously working towards his doctorate in Religion at Duke University. In the years 1964 through 1966, he was Vicar of three mission churches, all named St. Johns -- in Wake Forest, Henderson, and Townsville, North Carolina. In 1965 Taylor also garnered his first of two degrees from Duke University graduating Magna Cum Laude in Th M.

From 1965 to 1970, Rev. Dr. Taylor Scott became an instructor for the Department of Social Studies at North Carolina State University simultaneously he was the Chaplain at the University. In the year 1969 he was also a visiting instructor for the Department of Religion at Duke University.

For ten years beginning in 1970, Taylor was appointed Assistant Professor of Religion at the University of Florida. During his tenure he received the Excellence in Teaching Award in College of Arts and Sciences for his notable brilliance in teaching. Teaching remained close to Taylor’s heart for the remainder of his life. Inspiring young minds to gain knowledge and tempting them to think and question gave him reason and joy.

That same year the National Endowment for the Humanities selected Taylor to conduct a pilot course on the Humanities and Professions. The program was so successful that he received three NEH Fellow summer appointments. His classes were so meaningful to so many students that many years later students would stop to tell him how his classes had affected them.

In 1971, Taylor received his second degree from Duke University: his Ph.D.

In 1980 Taylor was persuaded to found the Center for Continuing Education for the Diocese of North Carolina in Raleigh. He remained the director for three years. During that time Taylor was also a Visiting Instructor of Religion at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro and served as the Episcopal Chaplain at Duke.

He became the inaugural Director of Academic Affairs at the College of Preachers at the National Cathedral in Washington in 1984 as a result of his outstanding work in continuing education in Raleigh. He held that position for two years.

Taylor left Washington to join the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Francis Marion University, where he served with distinction until his retirement in 2001. Shortly thereafter Francis Marion named him Professor Emeritus. During the time in Florence, S.C., Taylor was also Vicar of Christ Church where he was much beloved and admired.

Retirement for Taylor didn’t allow for idleness. He returned to Florida, moved to Palm Coast, and married the love of his life. At the time of his death, he and Carol had four blissful years together. They met at Church. In the years 2001 and until his untimely demise, he served in interim capacities at Holy Trinity Parish and the Chapel of the Incarnation in Gainesville and taught as Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Stetson University and Adjunct Professor of Religion at University of Florida in Gainesville.

But of all of his accomplishments, and there were many, his greatest gratification was his children. His daughter, Carter, whom he adored, is a stunning opera singer whose voice and talent never ceased to thrill him. His son, his namesake, Taylor Scott V, is a doctor and educator and Taylor admired him so. He took no credit for his children’s achievements; he just smiled with immense pride.

A lifelong activist, Taylor was involved in human rights during the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War Protests, and more recently protesting the war in Iraq. He never met a stranger and was a friend to the poor and wealthy and especially children. He was a consummate intellectual, but never a snob. He valued every individual he met and he shared himself, his intellect and his wit openly and freely: Sometimes to the shock and amazement of his listener. He valued the exchange of ideas, he loved inciting debate, and he delighted in sharing provocative thoughts on a myriad of topics. He loved entertaining, cooking, gardening and the spirit of a good conversation.

For Taylor exercise afforded him the stillness of mind and calmness of spirit. Swimming, biking, sailing, and walking on the beach enriched his being, nourished his soul and gave him fodder to solving difficult and complex issues.

Indeed, Taylor Scott lived life fully. His essence will leave an indelible imprint on all who came within his midst. He was a force among men. A man who was so committed in the quest for truth that it seemed to create a vortex of energy around him. An energy that was profoundly intense. Taylor Scott, the man, was a force, a brilliant shining light who will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Taylor Scott leaves behind a rich legacy and a family who loved him dearly.

He is also survived by his wife Carol Enge Scott of Palm Coast; his sister Mary Blair Valentine of Richmond, VA; his daughter Mary Carter Scott who is an opera singer, New York; his son Robert Taylor Scott V who is a physician at Michigan State University; and their mother, Mary Willingham Zarantonello of CA. Other survivors from Michigan are daughter-in-law Marcia Kelly Scott; his grandchildren Robinson Timothy Scott; Alexandra Eden Scott; Christian Kelly Scott. From Jacksonville, Fl., Stepson David S. Goldman and wife Jeanne Goldman; step-grandchildren Garrett Wright Goldman; Dawson Michael Goldman; From Windermere, Fl., stepdaughter Holli Goldman Berry and husband Louis A. Berry and step-granddaughter Mora Lilli Berry.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 NE First St., Gainesville, Florida at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 13th, 2006. A memorial service will also be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Florence, SC at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, May 14th, 2006 where Rev. Scott was rector for 15 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts are sent to the Francis Marion University Foundation, designated to the Taylor Scott Scholarship Fund, PO Box 100547, Florence, SC 29501; or The Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129; or the charity of your choice.