Late centenarian hailed as ‘beacon of inspiration’

Centenarian James ‘Methuselah’ Roy Taylor, also known as ‘Uncle Doctor’, was laid to rest on February 25 following an almost five-hour service of thanksgiving at the St Catherine- based Kitson Town Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, where mourners heard over 20 tributes from individuals and organisations.

Taylor, who was born on August 11, 1920, died on January 18, 2024, age 103 years, after a brief illness.

His wife of 70 years, Marion, two of three children, and scores of other relatives, as well as his SDA family, where he was ordained a first elder of the Kitson Town Circuit, witnessed the glowing tributes to the loss of a “giant of a man”.

Throughout his adult life, Taylor’s mainstay was furniture making and he spent considerable time to ensure that young men in his community acquired the skill, while also making free coffins to needy community members.

Pastor Howard Grant-Langley, who led remembrances, said the late elder’s life characterised “extraordinary achievements”.

“His life, for us, was a crusade for excellence, justice and kindness,” and he passionately pursued his dreams and vision, Grant-Langley told the large gathering, noting that “in all that he did, he had a deep sense of responsibility to his fellowmen”.

He said Taylor was a “beacon of inspiration”, with a generosity that was not limited to material giving, as he “gave his time, wisdom, and most importantly, his heart”, while mentoring others and leading by example

Elder at the Kitson Town church, Errol Martin, said Taylor’s words “were simple yet profound, and he exhibited goodness, and an abiding love for his church. Our hearts are sore… he was one of the best among us”, he said.

Taylor’s niece, Ruby Knight-Lewin, said her uncle’s contributions will always shine. “He showed so much compassion, humility and dedication to the right standard of life,” she said.

His long-time friend Fitz Albert Brown said his mentor was a Bible scholar, a “kind soul, and a messenger from God, who was full of humour”.

Chairman of the Kitson Town Civic Committee, Garfield Angus, told his audience that though saddened by Taylor’s passing, he was pleased that he had received the Kitson Town Builder’s Award before his death, and “he was able to accept what we had prepared for him, heard what he said about him, and was also able to give us his response”.

“His many decades of campaigning for morality were almost to the end of his life. At the event in November 2023, where we honoured him, he left us with these pleas: the young should avoid drugs, they should get [an] education and skills, and the young ladies should not give themselves cheaply and carelessly to men, as the babies will be for them alone to care for,” Angus said.

Angus said that a “very good way in which we could keep his memory alive”, is to transcribe a 2015 presentation that the late elder made on family life and put it out as a book. He committed to lend his skills freely to the project.

Granddaughter of the deceased, Judian Taylor, remembered him as the “sweetest old man” she has ever met, and “I am still waiting to see my grandfather angry, because I have never seen him in that position. We felt so free around him, and he ensured that we got what we wanted”, she said.

Another granddaughter, Ysa Bogle-Martin, eulogised Taylor as a “force to be reckoned with” who gave tremendously in the raising of his children, grandchildren, and those of community members, adding that “he was a well sought-after preacher and counselor’.

Taylor delivered his last sermon at age 102 years old.