Diijon Taylor

Diijon Taylor, son of the late Gloria M. Carter and Elton M. Taylor was born August 6, 1957 in New London, Connecticut. At a young age the family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. He departed this life on November 12, 2015 after a lengthy illness. Diijon received his education at Lake Clifton Senior High School in Baltimore, Maryland where he graduated valedictorian of his class of 1973, Soon after graduation he enlisted in the Army Reserves, where he proudly served for 9 years and learned his excellent cooking skills. He was a handy man, a jack of all trades, plumbing, roofing, painting; you name it he could do it. His last place of employment was with Safeway grocery store, of where he was a devoted employee. Diijon's favorite pastime was fishing which he did as often as he could with his good buddy Melvin. He loved watching westerns, NCIS, Empire and Sunday afternoon football, which was his quiet time to himself. Diijon was well known to many as "Pudgie", but more affectionately known to his granddaughters as "Sugarfoot". He made numerous friends wherever he went and will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew him. In 2008 Diijon met Darlene Stinnette, who came to be his friend and lover whom he later married on August 6, 2011 on his birthday, so that he would not forget that date. They were married at St Paul Freewill Baptist Church, where they joined and accepted Christ together. Diijon was a very proud dad, who always bragged of the accomplishments of his two children Nekia and Diijon. However, although he was proud of them, they were even more proud of him for being an inspiration through his life's journey. Diijon was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria M. Carter, Sister Joanne Jones and nephew Anthony Smith. Diijon leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Darlene Taylor, daughter Nekia Kelly, son Diijon T. Taylor (Kimberly Taylor); his two beautiful granddaughters Nadira D. Kelly and Chloe' G. Taylor; three sisters Gloria Jean Holloman, Uvonna "Peaches" Taylor and Robin Smith-Handy; four brothers, William Taylor, Calvin Mills (Sue Mills), Julius Taylor and Tommy Rawlings; four stepchildren, Marquette, Liola and Donte Stinnette, Mark Vinson; three stepgrandchildren, Zyron and Maya Stinnette and Aniyah Redfern; one special Sister Brenda Manley; a dear friend Barbara Johnson. Along with nieces, nephews, other family and friends who will deeply miss him.

Tributes

Diijon Taylor

August 6, 1957 - November 12, 2015