Mr. James Rufus Taylor, 78, a resident of Lanett, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 at his residence.

Funeral services are planned for Monday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m (EST) at Rehope Baptist Church, 5267 County Road 258 in LaFayette, with Pastor Harvey L. Jones officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

 

Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, Maudie V. Taylor of Lanett; one son, the Rev. Largwin (Shannon) Taylor of Dalton, Ga.; one daughter, Dialetta Taylor of Fort Polk, La.; five grandchildren, Taiwan Taylor, LaQuentin Taylor, Brenna Shelton, Jordan Shelton and Michael Taylor, all of Dalton; four great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Barbara Wilson of Roanoke, Rosa L. Dunn of Lanett, and Sallie Ruth Mott of LaFayette; two brothers-in-law, the Rev. Dr. N. Q. Reynolds of Anniston and Arthur Dunn Jr. of Lanett; three stepsons; four stepdaughters; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

 

Born August 3, 1933 in Chambers County, Mr. Taylor was the son of the late Grady and Jimmie Dora Taylor. He graduated from Chambers County Training School in LaFayette and was a proud alumnus of Alabama A&M University in Huntsville. Mr. Taylor began his teaching career as an industrial arts teacher in Tallassee, Ala. at R.R. Moton High School and retired from Southside Middle School, with more than 30 years of service in education. He was past president of the local chapter of the Alabama New South Coalition, a member of the Chambers County Retired Teachers Association, AEA, NEA, NAACP and the Alabama Democratic Conference.