Preston Taylor
1849–1931 (age 82)
Minister and philanthropist
Biography
Preston Taylor, born into slavery in 1849, rose to become a minister, entrepreneur, and tireless philanthropist; he founded Greenwood Cemetery and built a funeral home and other businesses that provided reliable services to Nashville's African American community.
He invested earnings in education, parks, and housing, helping to create opportunities for families who had long been excluded, and he is interred in the shade of Greenwood Cemetery, a site he lovingly established.