Max O. Taylor, 90, of Smackover passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the South Arkansas Regional Hospital.
Born January 7, 1934 in Spearsville, LA he was the son of Ervin Jalin and Flora Abilene Hartzell Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a graduate of Southern Methodist University School of Banking. He retired as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Smackover State Bank and was a longtime member of the Maple Avenue Baptist Church in Smackover. Max cared deeply about his family and his community.
Max entered the banking industry as a bookkeeper at First National Bank in 1956. Prior to the end of this career at Smackover State Bank on December 31, 1999.
Max held the following positions throughout and after his career: President of South Arkansas Banking Administration Institute; Executive on the Counsel of the Junior Bankers Association; Chairman of Bank operations committee for the Arkansas Bankers Association; Treasurer for both the Union County chapters of the American Cancer Society and the South Arkansas Cerebral Palsy Association, as well as, Director of the Union County chair of the Arkansas Heart Association.
Max was a member of the Smackover Lions Club for thirty-three years and is a past President. He also served in the following capacities: Smackover City Planning Commission; Member of the Smackover Library Board of Trustees; Chairman of the fundraising committee and project direct for remodeling and furnishing of a new library facility and community meeting center; Board member and President of the South Arkansas Development Counsel; Present of Smackover Chamber of Commerce and Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Parks and Beautification Committee.
He completed a project of two 100 foot murals adjacent to Kennedy Park. He was a member of the Union County Library Board and served on the Barton Library Executive Board as Chairman. He additionally served on the advisory board of the Oil Belt Vocational Technical School; Board of Governors of Union County Medical Center, now known as the Medical Center of South Arkansas.
He was awarded the exceptional accomplishment awarded from the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce for Community Service. He acted as Chairman of Smackover Community Development; Commissioner in charge of operations of building a facility for senior citizens of Smackover and supervised the construction of same. He was on the Board of Directors of Smackover Industrial Development Corporation and a Member of the Steering Committee and the Antique Street Lighting Committee for the Chamber of Commerce.
Preceding him in death along with his parents were his wife of 69 years, Jerolyn Ann Tompkins Taylor; daughters, Margaret Caroline Taylor, Judi Maxanne Taylor Hill and Teri Leigh Taylor Calhoun along with a brother, Billy Neal Taylor and brothers-in-law, Fletcher “Sonny” Tompkins and Gary Tompkins.
Survivors include his daughter, Vickie Lane Taylor Kirk of Camden, along with grandchildren, Steven Taylor Puska, Candice Dee Calloway, Margaret Caroline Calhoun and Amelia Ann-Sarah Calhoun and sisters-in-law, Sue Tompkins of Ruston, LA and Rosie Tompkins of Wesson, AR in addition to numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Young’s. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 6, 2024 in Young’s Chapel with Rev. Lyle Hern officiating. Interment will follow in Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to the Smackover Public Library, 700 S., Broadway St., Smackover, AR 71762 or to UCAPS, P.O. Box 204, El Dorado, AR 71730.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Taylor family.
