James Taylor (12-5-12) service 12-8-12

James A. Taylor, 81, of Savannah, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, in Savannah.

He was born in Prentiss County, Miss., the son of the late James Melvin and Bertha Lee Slaughter Taylor. He was united in marriage to Gertie Hopper Murphy, who survives.

Mr. Taylor retired from the Hardin County Highway Department where he was a heavy equipment operator. He also had worked for Savannah Ready Mix and Larry Johnson Construction. He was a member of Olivet Pentecostal Church.

Services were held on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Olivet Pentecostal Church in Savannah with Harrell D. Conaway officiating. Burial followed in the Neill Cemetery at Savannah.

In addition to his wife, Gertie of Savannah, he is survived by one daughter, Martha Taylor of Savannah; six stepsons, Jerry M. Brown, James M. Brown, Lonnie Murphy, Johnny Murphy, Joel Murphy and Michael Murphy, all of Savannah; two stepdaughters, Sherry Irvin and Tracy Morris, both of Savannah; one sister, Ollie Dean Harris of Tishomingo, Miss.; two brothers, Melvin Taylor of Tishomingo, Miss. and Dexter Taylor of Horn Lake, Miss.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Veola Murphy Taylor; one stepdaughter, Jeanette Brown Hunt; one sister, Dorothy Taylor Smith; and two brothers, Vernon and Randall Taylor.