Joseph A. Taylor

A much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, Joseph A. Taylor died Friday, June 18th at his residence in Paragould, Arkansas. Joe was born December 5th, 1933 in Rector and was a 70 year resident of Paragould.

Before retirement, Joe spent approximately 45 years building churches. More than 100 churches in Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri benefited from his lifetime ministry of church construction. Joe was a Gideon for many years. He and his wife Mabel spent several enjoyable years participating in mission trips with the Tom Cox World Ministries to Israel, Jordan, India, Greece, Peru, Chile, Italy, Malaysia, Kenya, Iceland, England, Scotland, Germany, and Egypt.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, H. P. Taylor and Blanche Taylor; his siblings Lavaughn Taylor, Louise Thedford, Betty Graves, and Gerraine Taylor. He will be missed and always loved by his wife of 67 years, Mabel Taylor; his children, Johnny and daughter-in-law Judy Taylor, Debbie and son-in-law Eddie Rawls, and Tina and son-in-law Larry Newberry. Joe was blessed with grandchildren Bryan and daughter-in-law Mandy Taylor, Jennifer and grandson-in-law Tony Woodside, Joe Taylor, Jill Cole, Joanna Newberry, and Isaac Newberry. His great-grandchildren include Lillie Taylor, Ava Taylor, Maryssa Taylor, Shea Taylor, Jordan Irvin, Jathan Rawls, Jenna Rawls, Isaiah Woodside, Braden Cole, and Brylee Cole and a great-great grandchild Emery Irvin. Joe is also survived by sister-in-law Ella Taylor.

A Worship Service of Remembrance and Celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 23rd at 2 pm at First Baptist Church in Paragould. The community is invited to a brief Visitation before the service beginning at 1 pm in First Baptist Church’s Sanctuary.

Memorials may be made to Paragould First Baptist Church or the Gideons International or the Tom Cox World Ministries.