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Most researchers who have placed queries on this site or who have traced their ancestors in Winston County, Mississippi, over the past few decades probably made contact with Louis Taunton and were assisted by him. In addition to his published books, he had edited genealogy columns in the Louisville, Ackerman, and Eupora newspapers.
Louis died on Monday July 24, 2006, while being transported by ambulance from the Louisville hospital to a Jackson hospital. His funeral was held on Thursday July 27. The following obituary appeared in the July 27 issue of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper.
Louisville
Louis Ray Taunton, 65, died Monday, July 24, 2006 in Leake County. Services are 11 A.M. today at First Baptist Church in Louisville with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. Michael McMullen will be officiating. Nowell Funeral Home in Louisville is handling arrangements.
Mr. Taunton was born July 13, 1941. He was a public school teacher at Louisville High School for 25 years, during which time he was named STAR Teacher for three years and was the District Teacher of the Year. Mr. Taunton was a meaningful teacher who was interested in the welfare of the students at LHS and helped hundreds of students through many difficult times and demonstrated his love for his students through trying to always help them. He served as Alderman of the City of Louisville for 4 years and Mayor of the City of Louisville for 4 years.
Mr. Taunton was a high school graduate of the class of 1959 of Strong High School in Strong, Ark. He was a 3 year veteran of the U. S. Army having spent 17 months in South East Asia. He received the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Cold War Veterans Medal, and Korean Service Medal. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Louisville Post #4540 and American Legion of Louisville Post #62.
Mr. Taunton was a college graduate of the class of 1974 of Mississippi State University, during which time he utilized the GI Bill. He was Director of Student Affairs at MSU while a student and for a year after graduation from MSU.
Mr. Taunton was a member of the Mississippi Genealogical Society and a charter member of the Winston County Genealogical and Historical Society. He was an author and co-author of: Winston County and Its People; Choctaw County, Miss., Cemeteries; Early Records of Choctaw County, Miss.; Winston County, Miss., Cemeteries; and 1880 Winston County, Miss., Census. He helped many trace their ancestors if they ever lived in Winston County. He was the unofficial historian of Winston County and collected anything concerning the bygone days of Louisville and Winston County.
Louis loved many of the simple things in life -- the smile of his wife; a gorgeous sunrise; birds singing; children laughing; visiting with old folks on the front porch; a beautiful hymn; discovering a long sought after ancestor while researching for another line; a slow gentle rain; a meaningful solemn Church Service; reading the bible; the sound of a running stream; bagpipes; a military parade; Veterans Day and Memorial Day celebrations honoring our nation's veterans; patriotic songs; a lonesome train whistle; and a beautiful sunset. No sermon is needed, as Louis's life was his sermon.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Taunton.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Myres Taunton of Louisville; mother, Nettilene Dollar Taunton of Strong, Ark; mother-in-law, Audrey Bennett Myres of Louisville; sister, Barbara Nell Taunton Bishop of El Dorado, Ark; 2 nieces, Charlotte Bishop Fielder of Parker's Chapel, Ark. and Susan Annette Bishop McWilliams of El Dorado, Ark; 2 nephews, David Myres and wife Lori and daughter Jenna and Brian Myres and wife April and son Reese; and 3 grand nieces.
Memorials may be made to the Genealogy Room of the Winston County Library in Louisville. [301 West Park Street, Louisville, MS, 39339]
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