Rev. J. T. Taylor

Rev. J. T. Taylor, loving husband, dedicated father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as a faithful minister of the gospel, prayed that the Lord would take him to his heavenly home on December 15th. J. T.’s Heavenly Father answered that prayer. On December 16th, 2025, Rev. J. T. Taylor entered the Gates of Heaven to join God’s Choir. He was 93 years old.

James Thious (J. T.) Taylor was born January 19, 1932 in Jacksonville, FL, the son of Lee Roy and Ida Ruth (Ponsell) Taylor. He attended Jacksonville Public Schools and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1950.

At a young age J. T. accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. He began leading worship music at Franklin Street Baptist Church at the age of 17. He joined the staff at Franklin Street Baptist Church in 1952. For a brief time in 1952-1953 he served as the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church, Fort Meade, FL. While at Fort Meade, he joined the Army Reserve and served for 10 years, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant at the end of his service.

With his desire to further his education, J. T. moved to New Orleans, LA to study at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While studying at the seminary he also served as the Minister of Music at Centreville Baptist Church in Centreville, MS. While serving at Centreville he met the love of his life, Claire Laverne Lane, who was the accompanist at the church. Claire and J. T. were married on August 5th, 1956 at the Centreville church. In 2025 they celebrated 69 years of marriage.

Later in 1956 the newlyweds began serving at First Baptist Church, Purvis, MS while J. T. attended William Carey College. In 1959, J. T. was called to minister at First Baptist Church, Aberdeen, MS. After two years of service, J. T. accepted the call to Daniel Memorial Baptist Church in Jackson, MS where he served for six years.

The Lord called J. T. back to Jacksonville and in 1967 he became the Minister of Music at Arlington Baptist Church. He served in that position for 18 years. In 1985 he transitioned to become the Associate Pastor of Senior Adults, Music and Special Ministries at Arlington Baptist. He held that position for nine years, retiring from full time ministry in 1994.

Rev. Taylor’s ministry at Arlington Baptist Church was very fruitful. He led youth choirs as well as adult choirs. His influence on the youth at Arlington Baptist Church resulted in many entering the ministry. Rev. Taylor’s son, Timothy, his daughter, Carol, his grandson, Rusty Smith, and others including David Odom, Jimmy Otwell, Joey Otwell, Hoby Unkelbach, Bill Capell, Mac Jackson, Danny Williams and Tommy Williams are only a few of the Arlington Baptist youth who went on to serve in full time ministry as adults. J.T.’s love for the Lord and his passion for sharing Christ, especially through music, influenced hundreds of others who, although not in full time ministry, serve in their churches and communities after learning under the ministry of Rev. J. T. Taylor.

J. T. continued to serve as a Minister of Music on a part-time basis after his retirement from Arlington Baptist. He worked at Ortega Baptist Church from 1994 to 2003. Then, he served for two years at Silver Glyn Baptist Church. In 2006 his ministry came full circle when he accepted the position of Minister of Music at Franklin Street Baptist Church, where his ministry began. He served at Franklin Street for 15 years, retiring in February, 2021 at the age of 90.

Though no longer in a church staff position, J. T. continued to minister by visiting various churches throughout Jacksonville, sometimes sharing special music and always encouraging the staff at each church he and Claire visited.

In 2012 The Florida Baptist Church Music Conference bestowed Rev. J. T. Taylor with the Paul R. Bobbitt Award honoring his lifetime of service as a Minister of Music in Florida.

J. T. and Claire were blessed with three children, Timothy (Patty) of Perrysburg, OH, Melody (Russ) Smith of Macclenny, FL, and Carol (Barry) Lumpkin of Jacksonville, FL. They have eight grandchildren: Rusty (Nicole) Smith, Tracie (Jaron) DeBerry, Bethany (John) White, Charity Taylor, Harmony (Logyn) Taylor-Thompson, Phillip Lumpkin, Holly Grace (Andrew) Risner, and Troy Lumpkin and honorary grandson Hudson Crots. There are 15 great-grandchildren Rustyn, Camdyn, Koltyn, and Eastyn Smith, Seabass, Wyatt, and Jolee DeBerry, John III, Ja’von, Noah and Isaiah White, Journey and Atlas Taylor-Thompson, and Navy and Jake Risner.

In addition to his work at churches, J. T. was involved in other passions in addition to his church work. He was a charter member of the Florida Baptist Singing Men (now known as The Florida Baptist Worship Choir). J. T. and Claire also enjoyed working out regularly at the cardiac rehab facility at Memorial Hospital.

J. T. was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Hubert (Gwendolyn) Taylor and Randou (Dot) Taylor. In addition to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Rev. Taylor will be held on Friday, Dec. 19th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Franklin Street Baptist Church (2521 Franklin St.). A Celebration of the Life and Ministry of Rev. J. T. Taylor will be held at Franklin Street Baptist Church on Saturday Dec. 20th at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Rev. J. T. Taylor can be made to the charity or ministry of your choice. Some ministries that were dear to J. T.’s heart include the Billy Graham Association and Gideon Bibles.