From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Melvin W. Taylor, Sr. was the director of West Kentucky State Vocational Technical School [now West Kentucky Community and Technical College -- see the school's history] in Paducah, KY, from 1972-1985. He had been employed at Hampton Institute in Hampton, VA. He was the husband of Sara Cornelia Boone, they were married in Hampton in 1939.

Melvin W. Taylor, Sr. was a member of a host of organizations, including the National U.S. Olympic Club. He was an outstanding athlete in high school and college, lettering in basketball, baseball, football, track, and tennis, and he played one year of semi-pro football. He was the father of Springfield, IL, painter E. Vern Taylor.

The Taylor family came to Paducah in 1954, where Melvin W. Taylor, Sr. became the co-coordinator of West Kentucky State Vocational Technical School (now the West Kentucky Community and Technical College) prior to becoming the director.

Melvin W. Taylor, Sr. was born in Canton, IL, the son of Vern E. and Emma J. Kirk Taylor. He died in Paducah, KY and is buried in Brook Hill Memorial Park & Mausoleums in Paducah, KY.

For more see "Marriage licenses," Daily Press (Newport News, VA), 8/20/1939, p. 6D; Profiles of Contemporary Black Achievers of Kentucky, by J. B. Horton; and T. Brown, "Artists share their journeys," State Journal Register, 6/21/2007.