Don Brett Taft Obituary (1950 - 2020)

On Thursday, May 28, 2020, Don Brett Taft, known affectionately as "Brett" or "Humphrey" by his loved ones and who was the patriarch of his family, passed away at the age of 69. Born on December 5, 1950 in Greenville, NC to Herman and Elizabeth Jane Tyson Taft, he took tremendous pride in being the eldest son of his mother's 11 children. As a little boy Brett had many odd jobs, but his paper route was his greatest childhood accomplishment. He graduated in the Class of 1969 from C.M. Epps High School and went on to join the U.S. Army in the spring of 1970. He made rank of Sergeant while stationed in West Germany, where his only child, Teruko, was born. Brett was a good dad and grandfather and a truly exceptional great grandfather, taking pride in his granddaughter as if she were his own. He had an infectious laugh and sense of humor that would light up a room. As a music connoisseur, he had a passion for dancing and loved to sing. With those two things combined, he thought he was the 6th member of "The Temptations." Driving and being of service was something else he could not pass up. Taking the young and the old to and from their destinations with a bible scripture, kind word or a little tune in tow to set their day off to a start was the essence of "Mr. Don," the neighborhood super Uber driver. Brett is survived by his: loving daughter, Teruko LaDonna Taft and her WIFE, Michelle; grandsons, Octoviol and O'Shea Taft; great grandchildren T'Vajanae and Ly'Meire; siblings, Swindell (wife Rosie), Carlton Ray (wife Linda), Danny (wife Carolyn), Janice Corey Givens (husband Matthew), Dennis (wife Mary), and Linda Gaye Taft, who will dearly miss their beloved brother; adopted grandkids, Terrika, Ta'Shayla, Tra'Lyn, and Ta'Shawna Hodges, who affectionately knew him as "granddad;" and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his: mother and father, Herman and Elizabeth Taft; seven siblings, James Earl, Alice Faye Tyson, Issac Tyson, Herman (June) Taft, Jr., Daisy Deloris Holland, Clara Carr, and Mary Roberson; and a few fond nephews and cousins who have also transitioned. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 28, 2020 (time to be determined) at the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, MD. Flowers or donations may be sent to 3003 Seagler Road, apt. 5301, Houston, TX 77042.