Jerry Ray Taylor, 73, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a lengthy illness. He was born January 12, 1953, in the Kirkville Community of Itawamba County, to M.C. and Mattie “Leona” Barnes Taylor. He was a member of the Living Water Community Church in Mooreville. He retired from Dowdle Gas Company after 35 years of service. He played the guitar in a Gospel Music Quartet for most of his adult life. He enjoyed life, woodworking, watching Fox news, and he loved his family and his Lord and Savior.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Bro. Phillip Carr, Bro. Dale Henderson, and Bro. Elbert Ray Bennett officiating. Burial will be in the Kirkville Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Gail Taylor; two sons, daughters, Marla McCord (David) of Pontotoc and Regina Jones of Fulton; two sons, Steven E. Malone (Gabby) of Bastrop, LA, and Chris Colburn ( Stacey) of Southaven, MS; one brother, Terry Taylor (Rita) of Kirkville; one sister, Wilease Rock of the Auburn community; eight grandchildren, Jessica Ketchum (Austin “Woody”), Lana McCord, Kayla Bridgman (Phillip), Joshua Jones, Justin Malone, Canaan Malone, John Mark Malone, and Vanessa Grace Colburn; eight grandchildren, Emma Blanchard, Chloee Blanchard, Charlie Blanchard, Zaiden Malone, Micah Malone, Jordan Malone, Jacob Malone, and Presley Malone; a host of nieces, nephews, and other extended members.
He was preceded in death by his twin sister, Judy Guin; one brother, Delton “Sonny” Taylor; one great grandson, Peyton Malone.
Pallbearers will Mick Taylor, Chris Guin, Austin “Woody” Ketchum, Charlie Blanchard, Steven Malone, Chris Colburn, and Phillip Bridgman.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from noon until service time at the McNeece-Morris Funeral home in Mantachie.
