George "Jesse" Taylor was born May 24, 1925, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and was in an apprenticeship for furniture upholstery. Jesse was then drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps and after his tour of duty, relocated to Lansing, Michigan. After thirty years of faithful employment as a Foreman with the Lansing Civic Center, he retired. Jesse was joined in holy matrimony to his loving wife, Mattie Mae (Burch) Taylor on August 1, 1954. To this union were born two daughters Desiree (Derrick) Quinney and Terri (Curtis Farris) Taylor. He has two sons, Eric Taylor of Springfield, Illinois, and Hassan Abdul-Kareem (Veronica) of Phoenix, Arizona. George "Jesse" accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, on April 14, 1963, under the leadership of Pastor R. Joseph Parker at Collins Memorial A.M.E. Church, Lansing, MI. He was a devoted member of Trinity AME Church under Pastor Lila R. Martin. Jesse was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps where he received an honorary discharge on March 5, 1946, after serving in the 51st Defense Battalion of Montfort Point as a Private First Class. Later, he joined the Montford Point Marines Association Inc. in Detroit, Michigan, and continued as an active member until his death. Jesse became a recipient in 2012 of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for his service. This award is the Nation's highest congressional civilian award and was presented by President Barack Obama. In 2006 he was inducted into the Montford Point Marines Association's Hall of Fame and received a medallion for outstanding services to the organization. He received numerous awards and recognitions throughout the State and the City. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Mae Taylor and devoted mother, Edna Adams. Surrounded by a circle of family and friends, Jesse transitioned on January 5, 2015. He leaves to honor his memory and legacy: daughters, Desiree (Derrick) Quinney and Terri (Curtis Farris) Taylor, both of Lansing; sons, Eric Taylor of Springfield, IL and Hassan (Veronica) Abdul-Kareem of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: DeKeea (Pierre) Quinney-Davis, Dr. Dominick Quinney, Brandon Taylor, Satitra, Taylor and Rodney Singleton, II, and Rashad Abdul-Kareem; great grandchildren, Kalani Rose, Kiyan Pierre, Rodney Jacob, Brandon Vaughn, Malachi Louis; brother, Marcus (Pete) Taylor of Lansing; sister-in-law, Agnes (Burch) Wright of Albion, MI; beloved special nephews: Gregory Eaton and Alfred (Butch) Burch; special friends, Barbara Simmons, Robert Yancy, Blair Fleet, Dan Jordan, and son-in-law, Rodney Singleton; and a host of loving relatives and friends too numerous to list but not forgotten. Military honors and burial services for Mr. Taylor will be held Saturday, January 10, 12pm, at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at 1pm, at Trinity A.M.E. Church, 3500 W. Holmes Rd, Lansing. Memories and condolences may be shared at rileyfuneralhome.com. The Family of Mr. George Jesse" Taylor will always remember, with deepest gratitude, your comforting words and thoughts, the beautiful floral arrangements, telephone calls, cards, prayers, and acts of kindness. We extend special appreciation to the staff at Sparrow Health System Hospice House of Mid-Michigan for the dedicated care they provided to Jesse and our family.