Taylor Dennis August
February 17, 1934 – July 6, 2021
Obituary for Taylor Dennis August
Taylor Dennis August was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the middle child of three children born to Mildred Smith-Glover on February 17, 1934. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Ford August, his mother, Mildred, and his brother, Willie Earl Blue. Taylor’s work ethic and dedication began at a very young age. At the tender age of nine, he worked as a shoeshiner and updated the daily movie marquee signs at the local movie theater.
Taylor graduated from John McDonogh 35 High School, where he played football and graduated with honors. Taylor then attended Tuskegee Institute (Tuskegee University), where he met the love of his life, Mattie. Mattie was a Tuskegee Institute cheerleader, and Taylor played on the Tuskegee Institute football team; the two married in 1956 and enjoyed 54 years of marriage.
Before beginning his extensive career with the federal government, he taught Biology and Physical Education and coached high school football and basketball in the Tuskegee, Alabama, area. Taylor also attended one year of law school at the University of Arkansas School of Law before being recruited to work for the federal government in 1958.
Taylor served his country in many capacities, including his roles as the first Regional Director of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (Region VII, Kansas City, Missouri); Rural Division Chief, Office of Economic Opportunity (Austin, Texas); and Field Representative, Office of Economic Opportunity (Austin, Texas). As Rural Division Chief, he was responsible for assisting all (75) of the Rural Community Anti-Poverty Agencies throughout the five-state region in achieving mandates set forth in the national strategy and for ensuring compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and other laws, regulations, and instructions governing federal grant-in-aid programs. Taylor was responsible for monitoring grantees, providing grantee-review, training, and technical assistance. Taylor created a technical assistance program that included: administration/management, comprehensive planning/evaluation, identification, and effective utilization of resources and programs (Manpower, Health, Housing, and Economic Development).
Taylor served as the Regional Director, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education (Region VI), where he tirelessly championed for equitable education for the citizens of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. In this role, he was responsible for establishing and managing a comprehensive compliance and enforcement program that included compliance investigations, compliance reviews, monitoring compliance plans, and enforcement activities that assured non-discrimination in federally-assisted programs. Taylor was a true titan in education and civil rights and dedicated his life to this impactful work for 62 groundbreaking years.
Taylor was extremely committed to civic, religious, athletic, and community activities throughout his life. He was an active and dedicated member of New Hope Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, where he served as a Deacon, Vice-Chair of the New Hope Baptist Church Board of Deacons, a Sunday School instructor, and member of the Male Chorus. On November 1, 1957, Taylor was initiated into the Omega Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. As a member of the Theta Alpha Chapter, he enjoyed 64 years of membership.
A mentor to many, Taylor was very passionate about youth empowerment and proudly supported the Boys and Girls Club and Youth Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer, patron, and board member. Taylor began boxing at a very young age in the backyard with his brother Earl. His love for the sport turned into a hobby in adulthood. As a coach for numerous boxers and organizations, he trained and assisted at the Boys and Girls Club, AM Pro, and other local gyms in the cities that he lived.
Taylor received several honors and awards for his community involvement and work achievements. These accolades include but are not limited to recognition for his contributions to the USA Boxing Black Gloves Invitational; the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to the Youth Boy Scouts of America; volunteering with the DISD Turner Twelve, and an award of Appreciation from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.
As an active leader in his community, Taylor’s greatest achievement of all was his family. He truly loved his wife, family, and friends and took great pride in raising his three children and pouring into the lives of his many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and family members.
Taylor Dennis August is survived by his younger sister, Elnora Green – Houston of Atlanta, Georgia, children: Taylor August II (Michel August) of Winterville, North Carolina, Wilbert August (Cheryl August) of Dallas, Texas, Marsha August-Jones (Michael Jones) of The Colony, Texas. Grandchildren: Stevan August of Kansas City, Missouri, Stefan August of Kansas City Missouri, Ashley Ollison of Dallas, Texas, Nina Hernandez of Dallas, Texas, Alexis August of Charlotte, North Carolina, Joshua Lewis of Dallas, Texas, Briana August of Dallas, Texas, Ahmani Thomas of New Orleans, Louisiana, Richard August of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Wilbert August II of Dallas, Texas, several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of extraordinary family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at New Hope Baptist Church; with A Celebration of Life on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 11:00am at New Hope Baptist Church. The address is: 4909 S Harwood St., Dallas, Texas 75215
To join the service via Zoom; please follow the instructions below:
Topic: Taylor August Homegoing Celebration
Time: Jul 15, 2021 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 938 442 8355
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Upcoming Events
Visitation
JUL 14. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CST)
New Hope Baptist Church
4909 S Harwood St
Dallas, TX 75215
Celebration of Life
JUL 15. 11:00 AM (CST)
New Hope Baptist Church
4909 S Harwood St
Dallas, TX 75215
Cemetery Details
Restland Cemetery
13005 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75243
https://www.restlandfuneralhome.com/