Mr. Edward Louis “Eddie” Taylor at the age of 82 passed away on Feb. 18, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Eddie was born on July 30, 1941, in the McFadden Community of Jackson County, Ark., the oldest of John Quintine (J. Q.) and Alice Bertha (Smith) Taylor.
Eddie was a 1960 graduate of Beedeville High School and was united in marriage to the former Alta Jacobs on April 25, 1961, at the home of his parents.
Ever the avid hunter, Mr. Eddie’s home was not complete without a hound dog or three lying around with his favorite breed being the Mountain Cur and he owned many. Besides hunting, Mr. Eddie had a passion for farming. He farmed his entire life, early on his father’s farm, J. Q. Taylor and Sons, and later Taylor Brothers with his brothers, Buddy and Johnny, only to retire in 2013 due to his health.
At an early age, he was baptized into the Church of Christ. Mr. Eddie was a member of the Hickory Ridge Church of Christ and on February 28, 1958, his family helped establish the Citizenship Church of Christ.
In his free time, Mr. Eddie enjoyed playing cards at the Co-Op in Hickory Ridge, talking to his friends on the phone, and bragging to anyone who would listen about Johnny’s crop and the exploits of his grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Mr. Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, J. Q. and Alice Taylor; one son, James Edward Taylor; a daughter and son-in-law, Joetta Rena Taylor and Louie McElyea; a grandson and his wife, Nicholas and Kayanna Newton; and a great-grandson, Caden Chouamon.
Mr. Eddie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alta Jacobs Taylor of the home; one son, Johnny Wayne (Jennifer) Taylor of McCrory; one daughter, Judy (Jimmie) Fletcher of McCrory; six grandchildren, Ryan Taylor, Amber Newton, Carrie (Cliff) Chouamon, Caleb (Melanie) McElyea, David McElyea, and Braden (Amicca Ashcraft) Reynolds; seven great-grandchildren, Baylee Bundren, Zaden, Aleigha, Azlynn and Mazlyn Chouamon, Lanie McElyea, and Lynden Newton; two brothers, James “Buddy” Taylor of Conway, Johnny Taylor of McCrory; one sister, Janet (John) Hess of McCrory; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and many friends.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Zack McDonald, Caleb McElyea, David McElyea, Braden Reynolds, Ryan Taylor, and Timmy Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Pat Ballard, Sr., David Burnett, Sherman Cullum, Rickey Jacobs, Dennis Martin, Lonnie Seabaugh, and Homer Tripp.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at the Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel of McCrory with Austin Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in Fakes Chapel Cemetery.
Friends may visit at the funeral home on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, beginning at 1 p.m. until service time.
Memorials may be sent in memory of Mr. Eddie to your local chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home of McCrory.
