The Gospel Lights - Owens Taylor

I was born November 14, 1950, in Henderson County, in a little community called Yuma, Tennessee, population of less than 100 people. My parents were both natives of Henderson County. I was the second child born to a family of five children. My father was a farmer (sharecropper) and my mother was a housewife. We lived in Henderson County until I reached the age of 4 years old, then we moved to Carroll County in a little town called Atwood, Tennessee where I reside now. My first year in school, I attended a two room school called Barker Jr. High School. The following year a new school was built MTA, where I graduated the ninth grade. Then I attended Webb High School in McKenzie, Tennessee, my sophomore year. In 1966 schools were integrated, I finished my junior and senior year at Atwood High School.

My church involvement began at birth; both parents were very active in church activities. I can relate to statements of being drug to church, seems like every time the church doors were opened we were there, so I thank my parents for that now, then it was the worse thing in the world I thought. As I grew older, about the age of 12 years old, I was saved, joined the New Hope Missionary Baptists Church in Milan, Tennessee; Later our family moved our membership to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Atwood, Tennessee, where I serve now as a Deacon, Trustee and Treasurer.

I began public work after high school, working at the Milan Shirt Mfg. Company. I worked there a fraction over one year. Then I was blessed to be hired at E.I Dupont in New Johnsonville, Tennessee, where I have been employed for the past 36 years. My present role is store and tool room supervisor.

In 1970 I got married to Felicia Gilbert from McKenzie, Tennessee. We were blessed with two sons, Sheldon Dwayne and Jason Lamar Taylor. We are now proud grandparents. My oldest son, Sheldon, has three children, Jasmine, Juelius, and Nicolette. Our youngest son Jason has one son, Jacob.

I began my career as a Gospel Light 20 plus years ago when I broke my wrist playing softball. A friend of mine Robert Price meet a Deacon of our church in the Barber Shop, when a conversation came up about singing in a Quartet, and the group was looking for some one that might be interested in singing. Jake (as we call him) explained that I had broken my wrist playing ball, so I couldn't play ball or bowl until my wrist healed, possibly he might be interested. From that day until now I've been a Gospel Light. I really enjoy traveling and singing in the group, and as long as we keep the faith, and trust in the Lord there is no limit to where our singing can go. I am a firm believer in proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all the Heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Owen W. Taylor
August 2004