Funeral service set Jan. 3 for student Ashton C. Taylor

3:29 p.m., Jan. 2, 2014--A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 3, for Ashton C. Taylor, a University of Delaware student who passed away Dec. 23.

Mr. Taylor was an English major with a minor in Black American Studies.

The service will be held at the Alfred Street Baptist Church, 302 Alfred St., Alexandria, Va., with the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley presiding. 

Carol Henderson, chairperson of the Department of Black American Studies and Mr. Taylor's adviser, said he was "committed to his educational pursuits" and had "a promising future ahead of him." 

"In spite of his illnesses, he made valiant efforts to complete his education and to handle the rigors of University life," she said. "He was gracious in handling constructive criticism on course work, contributed to classroom discussions with keen insight, and was passionate about the social and cultural issues that are challenging our world today. He had dreams of helping his community at large -- especially young African American men -- achieve their life goals. 

"He was a working student, and balancing school, work, and other University activities can be a challenging task, especially if one is ill, but Ashton pressed forward to achieve his goals," Henderson said. "As his adviser, I admired his will to live and to enjoy the quality of life he was given. The real tragedy for us as a University community is that we will not have the opportunity to experience the wonderful gifts and lessons he would be able to share with others about overcoming challenges in one's life sojourn." 

Mr. Taylor is survived by his parents, Teddy B.Taylor and Antoinette Corbin-Taylor; sister, Tina Blair Taylor; three uncles, Vernon (Beverly) Corbin, Jeffrey (Patricia) Corbin; and Terri (Alycia) Taylor; and other relatives and friends.   

Condolences may be left online.