Honoring the Legacy of Sherrill Smith Taylor
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Sherrill Smith Taylor, age 89. She passed away peacefully on January 13th, 2024.
BBI has lost one of its beloved founders. Those fortunate to know her have lost a dear friend and a very devoted and generous human being.
Growing up during the Great Depression, she learned invaluable lessons that shaped both her and her children's lives. They navigated adversity and challenges with resilience, overcoming obstacles through hard work and a consistent willingness to help others.
Sherrill was the youngest of four children and a late addition to the family. She had two older brothers, Ross and Hubert, and a sister, Eunice. All three predeceased her.
She married Robert "Bob" Taylor in 1956, a colorful and dynamic native of South Georgia. Bob and Sherrill were deeply committed to each other and had a beautiful marriage of 65 years. Together, they founded BBI (Burdette Beckmann, Inc.), which started in their home and is now a national sales agency with 10 offices nationwide. She reluctantly joined as Controller and helped the company survive and eventually thrive.
While working hard with the family business, she was always a faithful servant of God and a dedicated Sheridan Hills Baptist Church member. Her involvement extended to serving on the board, chairing the school board, and dedicating over 20 years to teaching Sunday school. One of her proudest accomplishments was her early support and participation in the original formation of Sheridan House Family Ministries, which still helps thousands of children, single mothers, and families.
She loved her family deeply and enjoyed any opportunity to spend time with them. She is survived by her children – Robin Fleming and Robert Taylor; her son-in-law, Phil Fleming; her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Taylor; her grandchildren, Shelby Miller, Wilson Symons, and Brantley Taylor; and her great-grandchildren, Smith and Wesley Miller.
A celebration of her life took place on Wednesday, January 17th, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Sheridan Hills Baptist Church, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate to the two charities of her choice: Sheridan House Ministries and Habitat for Humanity of Broward.
ABOUT BURDETTE BECKMANN INC.
Burdette Beckmann Inc. (BBI) is a national sales agency founded in 1955. We prioritize solution-based strategies and nurture lasting connections with our clients. Combining expertise in sales, marketing, and analytics, BBI guarantees meaningful results and productive outcomes for brands of every size and scope.