Cleanth was the first child of Marie Verser and Willie Taylor in Denmark, Tennessee. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Lane Chapel Baptist Church. He attended Ingram Elementary School. He then, attended Denmark High School. Cleanth met and married Azzie Lee Bond in Tennessee in 1945. This union was blessed with four children, three sons, and Samuel, Bernard, and Dwight, one daughter, Joyce. After the dissolution of His first marriage, He married Willa, and she preceded him in death. He was employed with the American Box Board Company, where He worked over 20 years and retired. Cleanth was born into eternity February 26, 2010. His oldest son, Samuel Taylor and one sister, Mary Elizabeth Taylor, preceded him in death. Cleanth leaves to cherish His memories: two sons, Dwight, (Theresa) Taylor, and Bernard (Mildred) Taylor; one daughter, Joyce Taylor; two brothers, Alvin B. Taylor of Arizona, and Willie D. Taylor of Tennessee; one sister, Dorothy Crymes of St. Louis, Missouri, 11 grandchildren, a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.