Taylor Watford Foundation, golf tournament, is effort to help prevent overdose deaths
Taylor Watford died in late 2018.
“Taylor always thought my biggest fear was public speaking,” said Jimmy Watford, Taylor’s father. “But my greatest fear was realized on December 27, when I found Taylor deceased because of an accidental overdose.
Taylor’s passing has been extremely difficult for his family. Jimmy said Taylor had enough fetynol in his system to kill six people.
To help deal with their loss, Taylor’s sister Jade and Jimmy, of West Columbia, want Taylor’s legacy to serve a purpose. “We want to save someone else from this pain,” said Jade, a Brookland-Cayce High School senior.
To begin the process, the family has launched the Taylor Watford Foundation. The foundation has the motto of: “Giving Hope To Life.” There is also the Taylor Watford Foundation memorial golf tournament.
The golf tournament will be at Golden Hills Golf and Country Club in Lexington on May 9. It begins at 1 p.m. Entry forms, sponsorship, and marketing details can be found at: https://taylorwatfordfoundation.org/
Proceeds from the tournament go to the Courage Center in Lexington. It provides resources for families dealing with addiction. Here’s a Courage Center link: https://www.couragecentersc.org/
The Courage Center was co-founded by Susan and Scotty Mill. Jimmy said the founders of the Taylor Watford Foundation believe in the Courage Center’s commitment, vision, and the wonderful gift they have brought to the community. 
Jimmy said Taylor would be supportive of the Courage Center because he was always ready to help others. “So many people told me how they could count on Taylor. He was always there for them,” said Jimmy.
Jimmy also said he warned his son. He said he told Taylor that there is no such thing as “one more time” with today’s drugs. “Drugs are laced and the next time you use could be your last,” said Jimmy.
Jade said she wants to carry on her brother’s legacy of service. “l want to go to law school, but I have changed my undergraduate major to psychology,” said Jade. Jade and Jimmy are also scheduled to speak to gatherings and share their experience with Taylor in order to help prevent someone else from hurting themselves.
It’s not the person who looks destitute, sitting on the side of the road who is the addict, said Jade. Appearances can be deceiving. She notes that her brother was the high school homecoming king. He was social, outgoing and athletic. “You can’t tell by looking at someone,” said Jade.