Stephen Taylor, former pastor, 1972-2013
A celebration of Stephen Mark Taylor’s life will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Valley Grace Brethren Church, 17310 Gay St., Hagerstown, with Pastor Dan Pritchett officiating. Family will receive friends Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m.at Valley Grace Brethren Church.
Steve, 41, of Hagerstown, Md., died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, at his home after a long battle with cancer.
Born Friday, June 2, 1972, in Hagerstown, he was the son of James O. Taylor and Susan G. (Dixon) Taylor of Hagerstown.
He attended South Hagerstown High School in 1987 and 1988, and later graduated from Lakeland Christian School in Lakeland, Fla.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Christian ministries from Grace College in 1994 and went on to earn a master’s degree in specialized ministries in youth and family counseling from Grace Theological Seminary in 1996. In 2006, he returned to college and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia. In 2011, Steve earned the first of two doctoral degrees. The first was a Ph.D. of philosophy in Christian ministries from Newburgh Theological Seminary in Evansville, Ind., and the second was a Ph.D. of education in Christian education in 2013, also from Newburgh Theological Seminary.
He was employed with Ghent Grace Brethren Church as a licensed professional minister and counselor, and later employed with Roanoke County Public Schools as a special-education teacher and case manager. Locally, he was employed by Heritage Academy as vice principal and served as in-school chaplain, and later employed with Hospice of Washington County as associate director of clinical services.
Steve loved helping people, which was reflected in his volunteer work as a team leader for 10 short-term humanitarian mission teams to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and France. He served as an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor in Roanoke City. He also served on the Refugee and Immigration Services Board helping to relocate refugees from around the world, and also as an ambassador for FHSSA (Foundation of Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa).
Steve was a member of Valley Grace Brethren Church, where he taught youth Sunday school. He was also a member of the Mid-Atlantic District Ministerium.
Steve loved to travel and learn, and share his knowledge with everyone. He will be greatly missed.
Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife of 21 years, Susan J. Taylor; aunt and uncle, Carol and Bill Sammis of Ithaca, N.Y.; maternal grandmother, Ruth Dixon of Hagerstown; uncle, John Dixon of Hagerstown; great-uncle and great-aunt, Jack and Betty Malenke of New Oxford, Pa.; several cousins; and two special kitties, Lexi and Zoe.
He was preceded in death by a very special cousin, Ken Malenke.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to FHSSA, 1731 King St., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314, or online at www.FHSSA.org.; or Valley Grace Brethren Church, Youth or Mission Fund, 17310 Gay St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.douglasfiery.com.
