John Pickens Taylor, M.D. was born in Winston Salem, NC on December 27th 1936. He was raised by his loving parents Woodrow Hampton and Estelle Humphreys Taylor in Batesburg, SC. When he was a child he met Eula Victoria Smith and knew that he wanted to marry her one day. They were married on November 18, 1962.
Dr. Taylor graduated high school from Batesburg-Leesville in 1955. After graduating Clemson University in 1959, he attended the Medical University of South Carolina. His internship was at Columbia Hospital from 1963-1964 and his Residencies were at South Carolina State Hospital from 1964-1965 and Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh, NC from 1965-1967. John was in the U.S. Army from 1967-1969 where he served a tour in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division as a Psychiatrist. He was awarded a Bronze Star. After serving in Vietnam, Dr. Taylor continued his medical career as a psychiatrist in Greenville SC. He is remembered by all who knew him for his compassion, kindness and patience.
He started his career with Psychiatric Associates. He also practiced at Palmetto Psychiatric and Psychotherapy, PA and Piedmont Psychiatric Services, PA. In later years, Dr. Taylor practiced Geriatric Psychiatry with Life Source and retired in May 2018. His past memberships included the South Carolina Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, Greenville County Medical Society, Southern Psychiatric Association, and the Rotary Club of Greenville. He served on the Board of the Urban League and the Chamber of Commerce and was in the first class of Leadership Greenville.
Dr. Taylor was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. John’s love of his Lord and Savior, his treasured wife and family shone brightly for all to see. He was devoted to living a life of service and enjoying life to its fullest. He was always willing to share many memories and stories about his favorite pastime…”Anything Clemson!”
John Pickens Taylor stressed that “He was born to serve”-Matthew 25.21. The Lord said it well: “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Surviving in addition to his wife Vickie are his children, John Pickens Taylor, Jr. and his wife Susan; daughter, Jennifer Taylor Farish and her husband Jim, all of Greenville; brother, Robert Michael Taylor and his wife Debbie of Batesburg, SC ; grandchildren, Topper Carsten, Taylor Carsten, Victoria Carsten, Barrett Taylor, Stella Taylor and Clayton Taylor.
Memorial services will be held Monday, September 10, 2018 at 2pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service at the church and following the memorial service there will be a reception at the Poinsett Club.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka KS. 66675; Meals on Wheels, 15 Oregon St., Greenville, SC 29605 and Special Olympics, 4806 Old Spartanburg Rd., Taylors, SC 29687.
Arrangements by Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Dr., online tributes at mackeymortuary.com
