Taylor and Wife, Elaine, Force Behind City’s Vietnam War Memorial Monument

Norman Earnest Taylor, 92,  a beloved teacher and coach at East Ridge Junior High, died on Tuesday.

He was born to the late Arthur E. (Os) Taylor and Estelle Hulsey Taylor in Villa Rica, Ga., on June 1, 1932. He was a graduate of Douglas County (GA) High School. He joined the Navy after graduation and served three years during the Korean Conflict. A week after his discharge, Norman entered West Georgia Junior College and was a member of the football team. He completed his college degree at Jacksonville State in Alabama, where he met Elaine.

He accepted the job of teacher and assistant football coach at Lakeview Junior High School. When East Ridge Junior High School opened the doors for the first time, Norman continued his career there as a coach and teacher. He retired in 1992 after serving the community so many years.

Norman was blessed with a sense of humor and a caring attitude toward the students. As one of his pupils said in a disappointed way, “Oh shoot, school won’t be any fun anymore.” Over and over he was told through the years, “You were my favorite teacher.”

Norman and Elaine were instrumental in the creation of the Vietnam Memorial at East Ridge City Hall honoring the memory of the East Ridge Citizens who died serving our country. He was a member of Newnan Springs United Methodist Church, a former member of the East Ridge Optimist Club and the Catoosa County Historical Society.

Norman was recently preceded in death by his beloved son, Jeff Taylor of Knoxville.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elaine Emberson Taylor; daughter, Amy Taylor of Ringgold; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Taylor and his granddaughter Erika Taylor of Knoxville; his grandson, James Gaither of Chattanooga; granddaughter, Megan Gaither Glisson (Andy); great-grandchildren, Lilly and Sam Glisson of Ringgold; several nieces and nephews; his favorite cousin, Joyce Hollingsead of Atlanta.

The family would like to thank caregiver, Marilyn Ford, Hospice of Chattanooga, Hearth Hospice, Rosewood Memory Care and their employees for the wonderful care he received. A special thanks to Dr. Jack McCallie who has taken care of Elaine and Norman since he came home to Chattanooga following in his father’s footsteps as “Young Dr. McCallie.”

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at Newnan Springs United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Elder officiating. Burial will follow at Anderson Memorial Gardens in Ringgold.