Daryl Alan Taylor

By Request of the Family: In Lieu of Flowers, Please make Donations to The Maryland SPCA, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore MD. Daryl Alan Taylor was born to proud parents Melvin and Gayle Taylor in Memphis, Tennessee on October 30, 1968. Daryl attended grade school in Memphis, where he participated in a Gate program, an academically accelerated program designed for gifted and talented students. In 1983, Daryl’s family relocated from Memphis, Tennessee to Woodlawn, Maryland and settled into the Lochearn Community located in North West Baltimore County. Though the move was a big change for Daryl, he quickly acclimated himself to his new town and settled into his sophomore year at Woodlawn High School. While at Woodlawn High, Daryl was a member of the track team and was called “Hollywood” by his friends because of his flashy track outfits and big personality. Daryl went on to graduate from Woodlawn High School in 1986. After high school, Daryl enrolled in the PSI Institute of Baltimore. He successfully juggled work and school and after completing the program, he continued to work until deciding that it was time to continue his education and attend college. Daryl was accepted into Coppin State College and he was awarded with a full academic scholarship because of his extremely high SAT scores. While at Coppin State, Daryl was active on both the swim team and the track team. He was also a member of the honor society and took honors level classes throughout his college career. While attending Coppin State College, Daryl was accepted into the Access Cooperative Education Program at the Social Security Administration Headquarters located in Woodlawn, Maryland in January of 1993. On December 18, 1993, Daryl was awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Management Science from Coppin State College. After graduating from college and successfully completing the cooperative education program, Daryl went on to become a full-time employee at the Social Security Administration in April of 1994. Daryl worked for the Social Security Administration Headquarters for over 19 years. He was employed as the Lead Human Resource Specialist and LAN Administrator in the Office of Personnel. He was responsible for providing support and management for over 200 employees at his job. Daryl was a dedicated worker and he loved the responsibilities and challenges that his job presented. He was counted among the fortunate few who are able to go into work each and every day, thoroughly enjoying his job and satisfied with his career choice. Daryl met the love of his life, Keisha, in 1993 at Coppin State College. The two knew soon after meeting that they would share the rest of their lives together and they married in Towson, Maryland on August 27, 1999. Daryl was a very kind, affectionate, loving, gentle, attentive, and protective husband. Daryl and Keisha went on to share in their love and commitment to each other and to delight and revel in each other’s company for their remaining years together. Daryl loved his life and lived each day as if it was a gift, making the most of his time. He was a talented artist and frequently created elaborate costumes and produced hand drawn and computer generated images, which he was very proud of. Daryl enjoyed traveling for pleasure and work and he had the opportunity to travel both near and far over the years. Daryl loved so many things about life, including good music, good movies, good barbecued ribs, science fiction conventions, anime and comic conventions. He loved staying active and swam and exercised regularly. Daryl had a wonderful sense of humor and you could always identify him by “his walk”. He was a student at the Integrity Martial Arts School where he was working towards earning a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. After much hard work and dedication, he was able to earn six belts. On January 25, 2012, Daryl tested for and successfully earned his red belt, which is the seventh belt in line to the tenth (Black Belt). Daryl had a green thumb, and could make any plant thrive and grow. He loved animals and he lovingly cared for his two toy poodles, Edward and Sophia. Daryl loved surprising and awing people with his many varied interests. He had a healthy sense of humor and was always looking for the fun and entertaining side of all situations. He had an outgoing personality and was very passionate about the things that he believed in. Daryl was a true individual and was never afraid to be himself. He was a courageous man that lived his life in a way that each of us should aspire to; he exercised his right to be who he was and to enjoy life. Daryl departed this life on February 1, 2012. He was immensely loved by his family and is survived by his devoted wife and life partner of over 18 years, Lakeisha M. Taylor; parents, Melvin and Gayle Taylor; doting grandmothers, Mrs. Helen Harris and Mrs. Mahala Lowe Taylor; mother-in-law, Brenda Hicks; godmother, Mildred Grafton; sister, Melanie Taylor-Woodson; brother, Gerald Taylor; sisters-in-law, Chervon Walker, Hosheana Hicks and Maria Kinte; brothers-in-law, Hezekiah Hicks and Joseph Woodson; aunt, Gwen Harris; uncles, Steven Harris and Everett Taylor; two nieces, one nephew, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Daryl Alan Taylor

October 30, 1968 - February 1, 2012