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Harvey Lee ("H.L.") Taylor, who was a beacon of light and positivity for everyone he met, passed away on July 28, 2022. Harvey was born in Kinston, North Carolina to the late Bishop Raeford Jones and Mary Taylor Smith. Harvey was raised in a close-knit family by his maternal grandparents, Herman and Bessie Taylor and his mother and stepfather, Clarence Smith.
Upon graduation from high School, Harvey entered the U.S. Navy. After completing three years of active service, Harvey attended Howard University where he made lifelong friends, served as the Business Club President, worked multiple jobs on and off campus and studied hard. In 1969, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management, and matriculated to George Washington University (GW) School of Law.
After law school Harvey and two of his friends started a successful law practice, Matthews, Taylor & Willis in downtown Washington, DC. During this time, Harvey also fostered his interest in politics by working on the election campaign for the District of Columbia Democratic Council-at-Large member John Ray.
After dissolving the Matthews, Taylor & Willis law practice, Harvey continued to represent clients as a solo practitioner in a variety of legal matters, including criminal defense, real estate, and tax law. He also taught Business Law as an Adjunct Professor at Howard University. An entrepreneur at heart, Harvey also founded a successful Paralegal Studies school. Harvey spent the last decade of his professional career advocating for U.S. veterans as a National Appeals Representative at The American Legion.
Harvey enjoyed a very active life outside of his professional legal work. He Harvey was a dedicated member of the Sigma Delta Tau Legal Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and he was the Chairman of the Board for T&T Tutor World, Inc.
He was a devoted husband to Dianne Royal Taylor and an incredible and doting father to Jana Taylor Jennings, Esq., his daughter from his previous marriage. He was also a beloved spirit of kindness and love for his son-in-law, mother, grandchildren, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and to the multitude of others that he considered family.
Harvey charmed everyone with his wonderful sense of humor, his infectious laugh, and his authentic human decency. His contribution to the community, the nation and to his family and friends is a legacy which serves as a role model for all and will live on forever. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Dianne Royal Taylor; daughter Jana LeMadry Taylor Jennings, Esq. (Curtis), grandchildren Tyler, Logan, and Christian; mother, Mrs. Mary Taylor Smith (Clarence, Deceased); Sister, Mrs. Bessie Dunk (Clyde); nephew Darrick Dunk, nieces Clynita Dunk and Lynne Lightfoote, M.D. and a host of other relatives; and many, many special friends.
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