James R. Taylor

OXFORD - James Robert Taylor, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at the Caroline Hospice in Denton.

He was born, one of 12 children to the late Robert Samuel Taylor and Myra Irene Claiborne Taylor on Aug. 11, 1911.

He moved to Oxford and transferred his church membership to Waters United Methodist Church in 1930 under the direction of the Rev. Thomas Cooper. Over the years he served in different capacities such as:trustee, member of finance committee, usher and lay speaker.

James (Mr. Jimmy) as he was known to many in Oxford worked at various jobs in the area. In November 1931, he began his lifelong career at the Oxford Boatyard working in several capacities over the years. He was working in the capacity of dockmaster at the time that his health declined in March 2007.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ruth C. Taylor; one brother, Luther Taylor of Somerville, N.J.; one sister, Edith Moore of Washington,; three sons, Samuel Robert Taylor Sr. of Oxford, James Howard Taylor Sr., (Mary) of Easton and William Henry Taylor (Carol) of East Orange, N.J.; one daughter, Joyce Anna Taylor of Hurlock; 19 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers; three sisters and two daughters, Tyreatha Irene Britt and Gwendolyn Catherine Caulk; a son-in-law, Hayward Caulk; and a daughter-in-law, Thelma Taylor.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at Waters UM Church, Oxford, where friends may call on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and two hours prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial will be in Screamersville Cemetery, Oxford.

Arrangements are being handled by the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Easton.