Joy L. Taylor, 82, of Elizabethton, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Johnson City Medical Center.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Walter and Georgia Clyburn Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was a graduate of Unaka High School. He served four years in the United States Air Force in England. He retired after 40 years of service from the Raytheon Corporation, Bristol.
Mr. Taylor was a member of Dashiell Masonic Lodge #238 and the Knoxville Scottish Rite. He was a member of Lynn Valley Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles “Rank” Taylor and Jerry Taylor.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Greta Lea Taylor; a daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Bill Puckett, Elizabethton; a granddaughter and her husband, Jennifer and Chris Persinger, Elizabethton; his great-grandchildren, Jordan and Bailea Persinger, Elizabethton; and three brothers, Jacob Taylor, Vaughn Taylor and wife, Thelma, and Jared “Rusty” Taylor, all of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service for Mr. Taylor will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Wilson officiating. Music will be provided by Teresa Range. The entombment service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25, in the Mausoleum of Peace at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Bill Puckett, Christopher Persinger, Jordan Persinger, Wayne Peeks, Timothy Taylor, Bailea Persinger and Charles “Bo” Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Ball, Bill Eades, Dick Hamilton, Bill Hyder and Danny Davis’s Sunday School Class at Lynn Valley Baptist Church. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to Dr. Leslie Panus, Dr. Matthew Cary and the nursing staff of the 5th floor at Johnson City Medical Center. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion. To those who prefer, memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Taylor to the Building Fund, Lynn Valley Baptist Church, 1367 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at his residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 9:20 a.m. Saturday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Taylor family.