Jerry Taylor

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 59 years old, Jerry went home to be with the Lord while at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Battling gastric cancer for the last twenty months, he fought a long and courageous battle. Jerry was a man who stood for the truth and devoted his life to serving the Lord.

His favorite scripture was, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” (John 14:1-4)

Jerry was born in Morgan County, Tennessee, on June 9, 1952, and moved to Claiborne County in 1969. He worked for Coppinger’s Machine Shop (Middlesboro, KY), B & M Machine Shop (Arthur, TN), Vulcan Materials (Morristown, TN), and Huggins Diesel (Nunnelly, TN). He was also a self-employed diesel mechanic for many years. Jerry was a Past Master in the Emerald Masonic Lodge #377 (Wartburg, TN). He was a charter member of Eagles Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Harrogate, TN. He loved his church and his church family. He was a member of Cumberland Gap Volunteer Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife of sixteen years, Mary McCreary Taylor, of Cumberland Gap, TN. They are the parents of five children: Gary and Brandy Mayes (Murfreesboro, TN); Jimmy and Star Taylor Cooper (Knoxville, TN); Steve and Jill Taylor Baker (Valparaiso, IN); Steven and Betty Mayes (Powell, TN); and Michael and Caroline Mayes Cooper (Cumberland Gap, TN). Jerry loved his fourteen grandchildren very much: Sheena LeClerc, Travis “Peanut” Monday, Joseph “Stevie” Mayes, Hayden Cooper, Aubrey Baker, Brittany Mayes, Mia Baker, Erin Mayes, Gabby Baker, Mady “Geraldine” Mayes, Grant “Luther” Baker, Jacob “Jack” Mayes, Molly “Poppy’s Little Buddy” Cooper, and baby Ava Cooper. He also leaves behind his mother, Wilma Taylor (Cumberland Gap, TN). In addition, he leaves behind four sisters and their families: Janice and Bob Shannon (Oliver Springs, TN), Teresa and John Adams (Cumberland Gap, TN), Annette and Glenn Cobb (Speedwell, TN), and Angela and Dennis Drummonds (Tazewell, TN). Jerry’s childhood friend, Ronnie Hamby (Harriman, TN), and special friends, Kenny and Dottie Cox (LaFollette, TN), will also mourn his passing.

Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Marshall Taylor (Cumberland Gap, TN); sister, Judy Ann Taylor (Wartburg, TN); and brother-in-law, Eugene Shannon (Oliver Springs, TN).

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Jerry be made to the Eagles Rock Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund (c/o Rev. Tim Huddleston, 700 Twin Fawn Trail, Middlesboro, KY 40965).

Jerry was loved by many and will be dearly missed. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14: 16-18)

The family will receive friends from 4 until 7 P.M. Wednesday November 9, 2011 at Eagle’s Rock Baptist Church with Masonic service 6:45 P.M. and funeral service to follow at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday night at Eagle’s rock Baptist Church. Burial at 2:00 P.M. Thursday in the Red Hill Cemetery.

Ministers; Rev. Kenny Cox and Rev. Tim Huddleston

Singers: Eagle’s Rock Church Choir, Alma Owens and Shannon and Family.

Pallbearers: Cumberland Gap Volunteer Fire Department. Coffey Funeral Home of Tazewell, TN, is in charge of arrangements.