Silas Taylor Sr.

Silas Taylor, Sr., age 82, of Whitesburg, TN, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2012. He was born in Lee Co, VA. He was a member of Beech Grove Baptist Church in Ewing, VA since age 17 and attended Trinity Holiness Church in Bulls Gap before his illness. He was a disabled veteran of the US Army, where he spent over 22 years in service, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He fought in the Korean War and was twice wounded in combat. He received two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, and numerous other awards and decorations. He was a life member of the DAV Chapter #54 and past Commander of Jonesville, VA, and a life member of VFW Post #9683 in Bulls Gap, TN. He was also a reserve Colonel in the KY State Police since 1976. He retired from Foamex in Morristown in 1997. Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Joshua Taylor Sr. and Hattie Ayers Taylor; two daughters, Patricia and Brenda; four brothers, Earl, John, Lester, and Joshua Jr.; and sister, Barbara. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Taylor; children, Silas Jr., Valicia (Don) Harper, Mary (Charlie) Flowers; three other children of KY; step-children, Faron (Judy) Holmes, Frank (Shirley) Holmes; sisters, Della Smith and Lillie Mae (Eugene) Collins; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Stubblefield Funeral Home on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Clayton Coffey and Rev. Don Harper officiating. Family and friends will meet at 10:50 a.m. in Hamblen Memory Gardens on Monday for an 11:00 a.m. graveside service. Military honors will be provided by Bulls Gap Churchill Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 4 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening prior to the services at the funeral home. Stubblefield Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.