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'''Noel Calvin Taylor''' (July 15, 1924 – October 29, 1999)<ref>Virginia House Joint Resolution No. 50, On the death of Noel Calvin Taylor, 21 January 2000 [http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?001+ful+HJ50ER]</ref><ref>[[Social Security Death Index]]</ref> was the [[mayor]] of [[Roanoke, Virginia]] from 1975 to 1992. He was widely considered one of the most influential leaders in the city's history.
'''Noel Calvin Taylor''' (July 15, 1924 – October 29, 1999)<ref>Virginia House Joint Resolution No. 50, On the death of Noel Calvin Taylor, 21 January 2000 [http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?001+ful+HJ50ER]</ref><ref>[[Social Security Death Index]]</ref> was the [[mayor]] of [[Roanoke, Virginia]] from 1975 to 1992. An African American leader who helped facilitate Roanoke's peaceful desegregation in the late 1960s, Taylor was widely considered one of the most influential political and civic leaders in the city's history.<ref> WSET ABC 13. "Black History Month Salutes: Noel C. Taylor." February 10th 2012. https://wset.com/archive/black-history-month-salutes-noel-c-taylor </ref>


Taylor was pastor of the historic High Street Baptist Church in Roanoke's northwest neighborhood from 1961 until his death in 1999.<ref> The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/ </ref>
Prior to becoming mayor, he was a leader in Roanoke's [[African American]] community and helped facilitate the city's peaceful [[desegregation]] in the late 1960s. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], he was elected mayor in 1976, after having been appointed to complete the term of [[Roy L. Webber]] after his death in 1975. His lengthy tenure saw many changes in Roanoke such as the revitalization of the downtown city market area and the opening of [[Valley View Mall (Roanoke, Virginia)|Valley View Mall]].


==Early Life, Education, Family==
Taylor was pastor of High Street Baptist Church in the northwest section of Roanoke from 1961 until his death in 1999.
Taylor was born on July 15, 1924 in [[Moneta, Virginia]], [[Bedford County, Virginia]].<ref> The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/ </ref> He was the Noel and Hettie Lee Murphy Taylor.<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>


Taylor attended the historically black college and university [[Bluefield State College]], graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science with honors. He also attended Virginia Seminary and College, graduating in 1955 with a Masters of Divinity and a in 1959 with a Doctors of Divinity. In 1963, Taylor earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education from [[New York University]].<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>
⚫
Roanoke's [[city hall]], the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, and the Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy, a combined middle school and high school, were each named in his honor.

==Education, Ministerial Career==
After graduating from [[Bluefield State College]] in 1949, Taylor became a teacher in the [[Bedford County, Virginia]] Public School. Between 1950 and 1952, Taylor served as an elementary school principal.<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>

In 1950, Taylor became an ordained Baptist Church. He pastored several churches: First Baptist Church - [[Clifton Forge, Virginia]] in 1954; First Baptist Church (Berkley) in [[Norfolk, Virginia]] between 1955-1958; and High Saint Baptist Church in [[Roanoke, Virginia]] between 1958 and 1961.<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>

Taylor was a duly initiated member of [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] Fraternity Incorporated.<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>

On July 16, 1955, Taylor married Barbara Jean Smith. They had two daughters: Sabrina Leochia Taylor and Deseree Charletta Taylor.<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>

==Political, Mayoral Career==
In 1970, Taylor became the first African American elected to [[Roanoke, Virginia]]'s City Council. He served as vice-mayor between 1974 and 1975. In 1975, he was appointed Mayor to complete the term of [[Roy L. Webber]] who passed away while in office. In 1976, Taylor became the first African American elected as mayor of [[Roanoke, Virginia]]. He served as mayor from 1976 to 1992. He was a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]].<ref> WSET ABC 13. "Black History Month Salutes: Noel C. Taylor." February 10th 2012. https://wset.com/archive/black-history-month-salutes-noel-c-taylor </ref><ref> The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/ </ref>

He was widely considered one of the most influential leaders in the city's history.<ref> WSET ABC 13. "Black History Month Salutes: Noel C. Taylor." February 10th 2012. https://wset.com/archive/black-history-month-salutes-noel-c-taylor </ref> <ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref> During his mayoral term, he oversaw downtown Roanoke's revitalization and the inaugural development of [[Valley View Mall (Roanoke, Virginia)|Valley View Mall]]

==Civic Leadership==
Taylor served on the board of directors of the [[First National Exchange Bank]], the Virginia Board of directors of the [[American Red Cross]], the board of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield - Southwestern Virginia, the board of Baptist Children's Home, the board of the Blue Ridge Mountains County Boy Scouts of America. He was also a member of the Virginia Coal Research and Development Advisory Council.<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>

==Honors==
* Two-time Manitoba of the Year<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>
* Omega Phi Psi Man of the Year<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>
* Certificate of Merit - National [[Phi Delta Kappa]]<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>
* Listed as a "noteworthy mayor" by [[Marquis Who's Who]]<ref> Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556 </ref>
* Roanoke's city hall was renamed the "Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building" in his honor.
⚫
*The Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy, a middle school and high school, were both named in his honor.

==Death==
Taylor passed away on October 29, 1999 in [[Roanoke, Virginia]]. He was interred in southern Bedford County.<ref> The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/ </ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 13:26, 10 August 2021

Noel C. Taylor
41st Mayor of Roanoke, Virginia
In office
October 27, 1975 – June 30, 1992
Preceded byRoy L. Webber
Succeeded byDavid A. Bowers
Personal details
Born
Noel Calvin Taylor

(1924-07-15)July 15, 1924
Moneta, Virginia, U.S.
DiedOctober 29, 1999(1999-10-29) (aged 75)
Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBarbara Smith
Alma mater
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1943–1945
Battles/warsWorld War II

Noel Calvin Taylor (July 15, 1924 – October 29, 1999)[1][2] was the mayor of Roanoke, Virginia from 1975 to 1992. An African American leader who helped facilitate Roanoke's peaceful desegregation in the late 1960s, Taylor was widely considered one of the most influential political and civic leaders in the city's history.[3]

Taylor was pastor of the historic High Street Baptist Church in Roanoke's northwest neighborhood from 1961 until his death in 1999.[4]

Early Life, Education, Family

Taylor was born on July 15, 1924 in Moneta, Virginia, Bedford County, Virginia.[5] He was the Noel and Hettie Lee Murphy Taylor.[6]

Taylor attended the historically black college and university Bluefield State College, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science with honors. He also attended Virginia Seminary and College, graduating in 1955 with a Masters of Divinity and a in 1959 with a Doctors of Divinity. In 1963, Taylor earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education from New York University.[7]

Education, Ministerial Career

After graduating from Bluefield State College in 1949, Taylor became a teacher in the Bedford County, Virginia Public School. Between 1950 and 1952, Taylor served as an elementary school principal.[8]

In 1950, Taylor became an ordained Baptist Church. He pastored several churches: First Baptist Church - Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1954; First Baptist Church (Berkley) in Norfolk, Virginia between 1955-1958; and High Saint Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia between 1958 and 1961.[9]

Taylor was a duly initiated member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.[10]

On July 16, 1955, Taylor married Barbara Jean Smith. They had two daughters: Sabrina Leochia Taylor and Deseree Charletta Taylor.[11]

Political, Mayoral Career

In 1970, Taylor became the first African American elected to Roanoke, Virginia's City Council. He served as vice-mayor between 1974 and 1975. In 1975, he was appointed Mayor to complete the term of Roy L. Webber who passed away while in office. In 1976, Taylor became the first African American elected as mayor of Roanoke, Virginia. He served as mayor from 1976 to 1992. He was a member of the Republican.[12][13]

He was widely considered one of the most influential leaders in the city's history.[14] [15] During his mayoral term, he oversaw downtown Roanoke's revitalization and the inaugural development of Valley View Mall

Civic Leadership

Taylor served on the board of directors of the First National Exchange Bank, the Virginia Board of directors of the American Red Cross, the board of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield - Southwestern Virginia, the board of Baptist Children's Home, the board of the Blue Ridge Mountains County Boy Scouts of America. He was also a member of the Virginia Coal Research and Development Advisory Council.[16]

Honors

  • Two-time Manitoba of the Year[17]
  • Omega Phi Psi Man of the Year[18]
  • Certificate of Merit - National Phi Delta Kappa[19]
  • Listed as a "noteworthy mayor" by Marquis Who's Who[20]
  • Roanoke's city hall was renamed the "Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building" in his honor.
  • The Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy, a middle school and high school, were both named in his honor.

Death

Taylor passed away on October 29, 1999 in Roanoke, Virginia. He was interred in southern Bedford County.[21]

References

  1. ^ Virginia House Joint Resolution No. 50, On the death of Noel Calvin Taylor, 21 January 2000 [1]
  2. ^ Social Security Death Index
  3. ^ WSET ABC 13. "Black History Month Salutes: Noel C. Taylor." February 10th 2012. https://wset.com/archive/black-history-month-salutes-noel-c-taylor
  4. ^ The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/
  5. ^ The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/
  6. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  7. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  8. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  9. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  10. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  11. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  12. ^ WSET ABC 13. "Black History Month Salutes: Noel C. Taylor." February 10th 2012. https://wset.com/archive/black-history-month-salutes-noel-c-taylor
  13. ^ The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/
  14. ^ WSET ABC 13. "Black History Month Salutes: Noel C. Taylor." February 10th 2012. https://wset.com/archive/black-history-month-salutes-noel-c-taylor
  15. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  16. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  17. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  18. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  19. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  20. ^ Prabook. Noel C. Taylor" https://prabook.com/web/noel_c.taylor/509556
  21. ^ The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/
Political offices
Preceded by Roanoke, Virginia Mayor
1975-1992 		Succeeded by
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