Obituary for Edwin Howell Saylor
Edwin "Ed" Saylor
Mr. Saylor passed away on Thursday morning July 14, 2022 at his home in Ocean Springs, MS.
Edwin H. Saylor was born July 2, 1938 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Ed and Nancy Saylor.
Mr. Saylor graduated from Highland Park High School and attended the University of Texas in Austin graduating in 1961 with a business degree.
He married Donna P. Saylor on January 26, 1963, and they had 3 daughters: Melinda, Cynthia, and Christy. They were married for 53 years until Donna’s passing in 2017.
He began his business career with the Chrysler Corporation and soon opened his own car dealership, Saylor Motor Company in Alvin, Texas in 1969.
“Ed” Saylor arrived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1982, already a highly successful businessman in Texas; he fell in love with the Coast and acquired the GM, Buick/Pontiac Dealership in D’Iberville, MS. At this time, the Saylor family made their home in Ocean Springs. Mr. Saylor further expanded his presence in the automobile business when he acquired, in 1987, the Chrysler Dealership in Gulfport, MS. These enterprises remained extraordinarily successful until Mr. Saylor sold them at his retirement.
Mr. Saylor’s business interests were not limited to only the automobile business. They included banking, real estate development and investments. In 1984, Ed was invited to be an Advisory Director of The Jefferson Bank of Biloxi and in 1985 was asked to join their Board of Directors as a voting member and serve on the Bank’s Executive Committee and Loan Committee. In 1994, Ed became a member of the Board of Directors of SouthTrust Bank of South Mississippi, again serving on SouthTrust’s Executive and Loan Committees.
In 1995 Mr. Saylor was an integral part of the formation of Coast Community Bank providing support service for the Bank in Organization while they were applying for the first new bank charter, in twenty years, in the State of Mississippi. Coast Community Bank opened for business on January 22, 1996, in Biloxi, MS with Mr. Saylor serving as a Director and on their Executive Committee and Loan Committee. Ed continued as a director of Coast Community Bank, succeeded by Community Bank until his retirement.
Ed had a keen vision for real estate acquisition and development having built a beautiful subdivision on the back bay in Biloxi and held numerous successful real estate holdings along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Mr. Saylor was active in and supported the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, and the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Ed had a passion for the work of the Salvation Army in Biloxi and was supportive of their endeavors especially for children in need.
The Saylor family, while living in Biloxi, were long time members of First Baptist Church of Biloxi where Ed served on their Finance Committee. After retirement, the Saylor’s moved back to Ocean Springs and then became members of First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs.
Mr. Saylor is survived by his beloved wife Jennifer Saylor, and their four legged babies, Peaches and Snickerdoodle; a sister Sharon Dyess (Bob); and his beloved three daughters Melinda Smith (Craig), Cynthia Willingham (Jeff), and Christy Bryant (Scott) and 5 grandchildren…Hunter & Saylor Smith and Madelyn, Courtney and Carson May.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to D’Auby Schiel for her steadfastness in service to the Saylor Family. She has absolutely been a “steady shoulder” for the entire family. A true “4th” Sister.”
If you would like to honor Ed's life, please do so by donating to your local "No Kill" Animal Shelter.
Mr. Saylor passed away on Thursday morning July 14, 2022 at his home in Ocean Springs, MS.
Edwin H. Saylor was born July 2, 1938 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Ed and Nancy Saylor.
Mr. Saylor graduated from Highland Park High School and attended the University of Texas in Austin graduating in 1961 with a business degree.
He married Donna P. Saylor on January 26, 1963, and they had 3 daughters: Melinda, Cynthia, and Christy. They were married for 53 years until Donna’s passing in 2017.
He began his business career with the Chrysler Corporation and soon opened his own car dealership, Saylor Motor Company in Alvin, Texas in 1969.
“Ed” Saylor arrived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1982, already a highly successful businessman in Texas; he fell in love with the Coast and acquired the GM, Buick/Pontiac Dealership in D’Iberville, MS. At this time, the Saylor family made their home in Ocean Springs. Mr. Saylor further expanded his presence in the automobile business when he acquired, in 1987, the Chrysler Dealership in Gulfport, MS. These enterprises remained extraordinarily successful until Mr. Saylor sold them at his retirement.
Mr. Saylor’s business interests were not limited to only the automobile business. They included banking, real estate development and investments. In 1984, Ed was invited to be an Advisory Director of The Jefferson Bank of Biloxi and in 1985 was asked to join their Board of Directors as a voting member and serve on the Bank’s Executive Committee and Loan Committee. In 1994, Ed became a member of the Board of Directors of SouthTrust Bank of South Mississippi, again serving on SouthTrust’s Executive and Loan Committees.
In 1995 Mr. Saylor was an integral part of the formation of Coast Community Bank providing support service for the Bank in Organization while they were applying for the first new bank charter, in twenty years, in the State of Mississippi. Coast Community Bank opened for business on January 22, 1996, in Biloxi, MS with Mr. Saylor serving as a Director and on their Executive Committee and Loan Committee. Ed continued as a director of Coast Community Bank, succeeded by Community Bank until his retirement.
Ed had a keen vision for real estate acquisition and development having built a beautiful subdivision on the back bay in Biloxi and held numerous successful real estate holdings along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Mr. Saylor was active in and supported the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, and the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Ed had a passion for the work of the Salvation Army in Biloxi and was supportive of their endeavors especially for children in need.
The Saylor family, while living in Biloxi, were long time members of First Baptist Church of Biloxi where Ed served on their Finance Committee. After retirement, the Saylor’s moved back to Ocean Springs and then became members of First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs.
Mr. Saylor is survived by his beloved wife Jennifer Saylor, and their four legged babies, Peaches and Snickerdoodle; a sister Sharon Dyess (Bob); and his beloved three daughters Melinda Smith (Craig), Cynthia Willingham (Jeff), and Christy Bryant (Scott) and 5 grandchildren…Hunter & Saylor Smith and Madelyn, Courtney and Carson May.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to D’Auby Schiel for her steadfastness in service to the Saylor Family. She has absolutely been a “steady shoulder” for the entire family. A true “4th” Sister.”
If you would like to honor Ed's life, please do so by donating to your local "No Kill" Animal Shelter.