Madison “Matt” Leach Taylor passed peacefully into the presence of God on October 2, 2026.

Matt was born in Holmes County, Mississippi on April 15, 1935, to Virginia Leach and Madison H. Taylor. After his father’s service in WWII the family settled in Biloxi, where Matt flourished as a young man. He played football for Biloxi High School, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and spent countless hours on the water and in the woods with classmates.

After graduating from Biloxi High School in 1953, Matt attended Mississippi State University. He met Mary Ellen Palmer there and they married upon his graduation in 1957. Matt graduated from USMC Officer Candidate School in that same year and began his military career. During his service he completed Basic School, Communications Officer School, Cryptology School, and USMC Command and Staff College.

The family grew as they moved from one assignment to the next. Daughter Terri was born in Quantico, Virginia. Daughter Jane was born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and son Mike in Hawaii.

Matt’s military career took him around the world and offered him the opportunity to lead and influence many young Marines. He served with distinction in a variety of line and staff roles, but he particularly excelled at life in “the field.”

At every stop in his military career, Matt was committed to the churches he belonged to. He served without fanfare in whatever capacity he was needed with his characteristic quiet leadership.

In 1977 he retired from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel and moved to Mississippi. He worked in insurance, encouraged trees to grow faster and enjoyed being near extended family for the first time in his adult life. Matt and Mary Ellen lived on their land in Kemper County for over 25 years with summers spent with grandchildren taking them on four-wheeler and tractor rides, teaching them how to drive his truck, feeding the deer and slicing watermelons.

In 2009 Mary Ellen and Matt moved permanently to their vacation home in Alligator Point, Florida where he could fish every day off his own pier. He enjoyed fishing with his brother-in-law, Lee Palmer, exploring the beaches and marshes, and befriending the bald eagles. In Florida he introduced his grandchildren to saltwater fishing, crabbing, throwing a cast net and the proper way to handle stingrays.

In 2017 they moved north of Atlanta to be near daughter Jane DeGrood and her family. There Matt enjoyed time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took care of Mary Ellen until her death in 2024. Matt remained active enjoying a veterans group, Bible study

and a lunch group. He met life’s challenges with the same unshakeable faith, determination, good humor and quiet strength that characterized his life. With these qualities, Matt formed lifelong friendships in high school, the Marine Corps, work, church homes, and throughout his life.

Matt is preceded in death by his parents, Madison H. Taylor and Virginia Leach Taylor, his wife Mary Ellen Palmer Taylor, and his brother James “Jim” Taylor.

He is survived by daughters Terri (Burl) McClendon of Austin, Texas and Jane (Paul) DeGrood of Flowery Branch, Georgia and son Mike (Becky) of Brookhaven, Mississippi, along with eight grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and two cousins.

The funeral service will be held at De Kalb Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Samaritan's Purse.