Thomas Leroy Taylor was born October 12, 1948, in Brunswick County, Virginia to Warner Thomas Taylor (deceased) and Iness Easter Taylor. Thomas was delivered into this world by his maternal grandmother Odell Easter, attending midwife. He moved to Suffolk, Virginia at the age of six years and began his education at East Suffolk Elementary School. Thomas spent his summers working on his grandfather Capell Taylor's tobacco farm, where he and his brother Barney would pick the tobacco. Thomas went on to graduate from John F. Kennedy High School in 1967.

After graduation, Thomas moved to Washington, D.C. and enrolled in Howard University. Shortly after moving to D.C., Thomas was married and from that union he had two sons, Rodney and Devin Taylor (deceased). In these early years of his life, Thomas became an Army Reservist, and a firefighter for the District of Columbia Fire Department, in which he worked 29 years until his retirement. As a Firefighter, Thomas worked as a rank of Firefighter Technician (wagon driver) where he received commendations and 2 Medals of Valor for courageously saving the lives of many people throughout his career.

On September 29, 2001, Thomas married Peggy Hemphill Finch. From that marriage he gained a step-son, Alfred, and a step-daughter, Allyson. After retirement, Thomas and Peggy relocated to their waterfront home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They were loved and respected by their neighbors and church family at Unity Renaissance of Chesapeake.

While in the Hampton Roads area, Thomas would lovingly assist in the care of his aging mother Iness. First, alternating weekly with his brother Barney to reside with their mother. After her residence changed, he would faithfully visit her each week to pick up her soiled clothing to take home and clean them.

Thomas was a loyal member of Unity of Renaissance Spiritual Life Center. Thomas served as an usher as well as the Men's Group where he assisted in doing many tasks for the church.

During his courageous battle with cancer, Thomas would repeatedly instruct Allyson, Rodney, Chip, Barney and Lennis to "take care of Peggy," his beloved wife. Then on December 30, 2024, Thomas' amazing, loving and courageous life here on Earth came to an end.

He leaves to carry on his legacy of love, courage, and laughter: his wife Peggy Taylor; his mother Iness Taylor; his sons, Rodney Taylor and Alfred "Chip" Finch (Hannah Shultz); daughter Allyson Finch; grandsons Giovanni Taylor (Liz), Brian Wilson and Andrew Wilson; granddaughters Kennedy Taylor and Maya Wilson; great-grandson Zuriel Taylor; brothers Barney Taylor (Rev. Lennis) and Reginald Taylor (Carla); sister Rev. Jean Taylor Payne; aunts Virginia Taylor Starke and Loretta Easter Atkinson; uncle Eddie Hicks; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as his entire Unity of Renaissance Family.

A memorial service will be held January 10 at 1:00 pm at Unity Renaissance of Chesapeake.