Funeral services for Larry Eugene “Gene” Taylor Jr., age 61 of Sylacauga, will be Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at First Assembly of God in Ashland with Pastor Keith Jones officiating. Burial will follow on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.
Mr. Taylor was a Clay County resident till 18 years of age. He worked at Russell Mills in the Research and Development department. He served in the National Guard for 26 ½ years where he spent time in Bosnia during the Operation Joint Endeavor conflict. He was also affectionately known as Mean Gene, the dancing machine. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed playing and spending time with his family and grandchildren and talking to his mother whenever he could. He loved to watch westerns, specifically the TV show Gunsmoke and Wagon Train and loved to also watch comedians such as Gabriel Iglesias and Jeff Dunham. Mr. Taylor also loved to watch and attend Nascar races whenever he could and Auburn football. He would listen to preachers daily, such as Jesse DuPlantis, Kenneth Copeland, and Jerry Savelle. Mr. Taylor was a loving husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather.
He is survived by his spouse of 23 years, Teresa S. Taylor of Sylacauga; his sons: Bradley Taylor of Alexander City, and Christopher Baker (Lisa) of Sylacauga; his daughters, Christina Stroud (Stephen) of Dadeville, and Kimberly Baker of Sylacauga; his grandchildren: Jorgia Taylor, Amy Stroud, John Stroud, Isabella Baker, Preston Baker, and Christopher Harley (Autumn); his great grandchildren: Reagan, Easton, Jason and David; his mother, Harriet Storey of Lineville; his sister, Julie Taylor; his brothers Kimbal Taylor, William Taylor, Jeffery Taylor (Priscilla), Robert Taylor (Becky), Kristopher Taylor (Kay), all of Ashland; his sister-in-law’s: Vicki Padgett (Tom) of Warner Robins, GA and Colleen Avery (Eleanor) of San Antonio, TX, plus a large extended family.
He is preceded in death by his father, Larry Eugene Taylor Sr.; his son, Brandon Taylor; his parents in law Glen and Ellen Sample; stepfather, Tom Storey; two brother in laws, Darrell and Lynn Sample.
Active pallbearers will be Kimbal Taylor, William Taylor, Jeffery Taylor, Robert Taylor, Kristopher Taylor, and Julie Taylor.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bradley Taylor, Christopher Baker, Preston Baker, and Christopher Harley.
His visitation will be held Friday February 17, 2023 at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. He will lie in state for one hour on Saturday February 18, 2023 at First Assembly of God in Ashland from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM.
