Cleveland Taylor, the son of the late John and Ruth Taylor, was born in Essex on July 5, 1936, and died at his home near Essex on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at the age of 69.

Mr. Taylor retired from the Swift Corporation where he worked for 30 years.

On Marcy 7, 2004, he married Bernice Dennis in their home.

Surviving of the home are his wife, Bernice Taylor; one sister, Ella Mae Farr of Indiana; three daughters, Jannie Bell of Sikeston, Tina Norwood of Columbia, and Viola Lott of Sikeston; five sons, Isaiah Dennis of Parma, Vincent Dennis of Malden, Alonzo Harris of Sikeston, Archie Dennis of Lawton, Okla., and Anthony Dennis of Sikeston; 38 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Angela Dennis; two brothers, Willie B. and Jerry Taylor; two sisters, Willie Mae Clark and Lula Taylor.

Visitation was held from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services were conducted at 12 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with Rev. Moses Grayson of Essex officiating.

Interment followed in the Macedonia Cemetery in Malden.

Watkins & Sons Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.