Ellesse Brianna Taylor, a 14-year-old student at Scranton High School, passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Scranton, Arkansas.
Born on May 23, 2012, in Clarksville, she had lived her entire life with her grandparents, Kelly and Sheri Taylor, who remembered her as someone who was as much a daughter as a granddaughter to them.
Ellesse’s passing has sent waves of grief through the tight-knit community of Scranton and far beyond. Since news broke, dozens of friends, neighbors, and community members have flooded a memorial tribute page with condolences, candles, and messages of love.
One neighbor, Trenna Ruloph, recalled the young girl’s infectious smile at local softball games, basketball courts, and cheerleading events. “She always had a smile on her face,” Ruloph wrote.
Her grandfather, Kelly Taylor, shared a heartfelt message on social media urging parents everywhere to hold their children closer.
“Pull those babies closer to your heart,” he wrote. “Tell them that you love them. Tell them they are special and that if they set their mind to it, they can accomplish any task in life. Monitor their social media, talk to them.”
He added that while this loss is the hardest he has ever endured, he hoped that sharing it openly might save even one other young life from a similar fate.
A Life That Touched Many
Ellesse was born into a large and loving family. She is survived by her mother, Leia Taylor of Scranton; her father, Jimmy Ralph, Jr. of Clarksville; three sisters, Cordelia Taylor of Fayetteville, Delilah Ralph of Coal Hill, and Jaycie Ralph of Clarksville; her grandparents, Kelly and Sheri Taylor of Scranton and Donna and Jimmy Leavell of Clarksville; and her great-grandmother, Jean Newton of Longwood, Florida, along with numerous cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Jimmy Ralph, Sr., and several great-grandparents and a great-uncle.
Cremation arrangements are being handled by Roller Funeral Home in Paris, Arkansas. The family has chosen not to hold a traditional funeral or viewing. Instead, they plan to celebrate Ellesse’s life at the Scranton Gym at a future date once arrangements are finalized.
How the Community Can Help
In place of flowers or memorial trees, the family is directing supporters to make donations to Helping Our Kids (HOK), a Scranton-area youth organization.
Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 57, Scranton, Arkansas 72863, or contributed through a memorial account established at Logan County Bank in Ellesse’s name.
The family expressed deep gratitude to the community for the outpouring of support. Kelly Taylor, though heartbroken, closed his public message with a call to action that resonated with many parents reading it. He urged families to be vigilant, to listen, and to stay present in their children’s lives, especially online.
Ellesse Brianna Taylor was just beginning her story. The community of Scranton, and many beyond it, will carry her memory forward.
