Willie Taylor, Jr.

Rev. Willie Taylor of South Bend, IN, departed this life on Sunday, November 1, 2015.  He was 81 years old. Willie was born in Henning, Tennessee on January 18, 1934 to Willie and Charlotte (Macklin) Taylor, Sr. He attended Palmer Turner Elementary School in Henning.

            Rev. Taylor was a licensed Minister under the leadership of his niece and Pastor, Rev. Verlie Manns at Grace Christian Church and Evangelistic Outreach Inc.  His first sermon was on Faith and he lived a life of Faith and telling others his powerful testimony about his deliverance from alcohol abuse.  He was instrumental in the church in several capacities along with being Youth Minister.  He worked at the church’s daycare, Precious Gems, for several years and was a faithful member who supported the Pastor fully.

            Rev. Taylor married his wonderful wife, Ella Mae Talton on June 14, 1975. She preceded him in death. He was a great father to Rodney (Felecia) Taylor and step-father to Deidre Taylor, Karen Talton, Billy Talton and Kevin Talton Porter all of South Bend, Anthony Taylor,   Henry Taylor and Diane (Stanley) Wilson, of San Antonio, TX, Evelyn (Robert, Jr.) Garner of Sherman, TX, Mary Ann Talton and Eileen Black of Louisville, KY.

            He was the grandfather of 37 and the great grandfather of 60.  Along with his children and many relatives, he leaves to cherish his memory two special nieces, Pastor Verlie (Calvin) Manns and Evangelist Phillis Turley, and a granddaughter Samantha (Terrance) Robertson, that delighted in his visits to Ripley, TN.

Several family members including daughters Linda Glass, Rita Ann Talton, Audrey (“Cookie”) Anderson, son-in-law Kevin Black, brothers, Cassie (“Bubba”) Taylor, Wardell and Earnest Taylor, sisters Ida Richmond and Ora Lee Pettis, nephew, W.C. Richmond,  grandchildren, Jonathon Clay, Corey Talton and Inia S. Taylor and two close friends, Willie Scott and Frank Rogers, preceded him in death.

            Rev. Taylor, affectionately known as Uncle Junior by his many nieces and nephews will be greatly missed by all the relatives and friends who knew and loved him.

            Special thanks go to Holy Cross Sanctuary and their staff for taking good care of him while he resided there.

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