#NotAnotherTaylor
Taylor's Story
“I know there is nothing you wouldn’t do for me, so I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure I always do for you.”
From Taylor Hayden to her mother, Joyce
❤️ Taylor Simone Hayden was born on February 23, 1991, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, as God’s gift to Peter and Joyce Hayden. She was the first of three beautiful daughters to the couple.
Taylor attended Minnesota schools, including Child Garden Montessori Preschool, Harvest Preparatory Elementary and The Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource (FAIR) School before graduating from Wayzata High School in 2009. She was known to her teachers and classmates as the girl with the infectious smile, kind personality and bright future.
❤️ A debutant in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter of the Links, Inc., it seems like only yesterday when she took to the floor, beautifully adorned in her white gown and accompanied by her doting father, Peter. They danced the traditional waltz, and the father-daughter love shined bright.
❤️ Whether at a football game or walking to class, you could always find her in her blue and gold Wayzata letter jacket. A lover of sports, and not one to sit on the sideline, Taylor participated in cross-country, basketball and track, where she was named captain her senior year. She was a consummate leader, and served as president of Jack & Jill, Minneapolis Chapter also in her senior year. Having held several leadership positions during her time with Jack & Jill, her commitment and leadership skills grew from a young age.
Taking her sparkling and upbeat personality overseas, Taylor was a People-to-People student ambassador in Europe. The trip was about an exchange of ideas and experiences through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities. Taylor found understanding and friendships as she pushed herself to try new things and stretch who she was as a young woman.
❤️ Following graduation from high school, Taylor headed south to Prairie View A&M University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in communications in 2014. She was active in the Panther PhDs, a student group promoting healthy lifestyles for young adults.
Taylor began her professional career at Morrie’s Hyundai in St. Louis Park, MN. Longing for the youth, energy and diversity found in Texas, Taylor was elated to join Enterprise Corporation in Houston, Texas. Grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins alike were elated to have Taylor close.
She loved stopping by her grandparents where Papa would often fill her gas tank after she would exclaim, “My car could use some love.” Grandma couldn’t wait to hear Taylor’s usual words of love and encouragement to her, “You go girl!”
❤️ Her effervescent personality and infectious smile would make every room brighter. In less than one year, her co-workers grew to admire and truly enjoy her presence. As was typical for Taylor, she exhibited great leadership in her role, uniting teams toward common goals and was awarded formal recognition for her efforts.
Taylor accepted Christ as her personal savior and was baptized at Living Word Church and World Outreach Ministries of St. Paul, Minnesota. Taylor loved and had a personal relationship with Christ, and enthusiastically worshiped at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church when she moved to Houston, Texas.
Her smile and joy was obvious to all she encountered. She made her heavenly transition on July 23, 2016, at the age of 25. She leaves her many family and friends to cherish precious memories of her, and her legacy will be kept alive through the establishment of this foundation, dedicated to end gun violence.
#NotAnotherTaylor