Like many other families, this family also found itself being displaced from Indian Creek due to the making of Center Hill Dam. Displaced by man yet placed by God- placed on Old Snow Hill Road. Here a small boy would grow up among many hardships. One of these hardships was the death of his mother when he was only three.

The Vanatta’s of Old Snow Hill Road made a difference in the life of this little boy. From pinto beans, because they were his favorite (and still are), to pear preserves and butter ‘stirs’ together, please; to watching Roy Rogers after school and sometimes on Saturdays, because they had a TV.

The Vanatta’s became family, his grandparents, and his mother, his siblings, molding and shaping who he would become as an adult. The death of the little boy’s father at the age of 10 sent him away from his Old Snow Hill Road family.

Displaced by the death of both his parents, yet placed by God in the home of an Aunt and Uncle in Watertown. A home within walking distance of church, and walk to church he did. Every Sunday.

Mrs. Tommie Woods, the Sunday school teacher, would share the gospel with this 11-year-old boy. Isaiah 1:18: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” White as snow God called together the teaching of his childhood on Old Snow Hill Road. Salvation came to this young boy.

For as long as he could remember, he always wanted to join the Air Force. When he became of age he did not wait for the draft but joined immediately even submitting to a needed surgery in order to be eligible. Once again displaced from home yet placed by God among Christian service men that would also have an influence, developing the character of this man.

It was in the Air Force that he became involved with the Navigators, a Christian Ministry to Service Men whose focus is on knowing and memorizing the Word of God. Home on a leave before going overseas a little girl, Teresa, threw her arms around his legs and hugging him said, “I love you.” First time he heard I love you except from Jesus, who had died and rose from the grave for his sins. Yes, now he would serve to keep her and others like her free. As he boarded the transport plane destination Vietnam he knew he would need the Word of God committed to his heart and memory.

The little boy of Old Snow Hill Road would see things he had not seen before or would see again.

In his marriage, money was always short just like everyone else’s. He so desperately needed a new winter coat. His wife saved money and by Christmas had just enough to purchase a coat for him. What a Christmas morning that was. He kept his old coat in the car just in case he needed to put it on and save his good coat.

Two weeks later he came home without his new coat. “Oh, honey, did you misplace your new coat?” “No, he said, I picked up a hitch hiker today.” “Oh, no, he stole your coat.” “No, honey, I gave it to him.” “What, you gave him your new coat. Why didn’t you give him your old coat?” “Honey, he looked like he had been given plenty of old stuff I wanted him to have something new.”

Home Town Hero, a man of character, my man, Robert L Taylor, Jr. I am so proud of you. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many people. Displaced by man, death and war - welcome home, dear.

Placed by God once again at Old Snow Hill Road. Dreams do come true. I love you, honey.