Burrell Taylor

Burrell W. Taylor, April 13, 1928 – October 22, 2015

On the afternoon of Thursday, October 22, 2015, Burrell W. Taylor passed away quietly of natural causes in his home in Commerce, Georgia. Mr. Taylor was 87 years old.

Mr. Taylor was born on April 13, 1928, in Wallins Creek, Kentucky. He was the third out of four children for Eliza Fee and Archie C. Taylor.

Mr. Taylor married Audrey LeMarr on January 10, 1948. The couple moved to Hawaii while Mr. Taylor was stationed in the Navy there. In October of that same year, their son Gary was born. Mr. Taylor went on to serve in the Marines during the Korean War.

In January of 1954, Mr. Taylor became a father again to twin girls, Sharon and Karen. He attended Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, before moving to Commerce to obtain his Master’s from the University of Georgia.

Mr. Taylor was a school principal for Commerce City Schools and then at Banks County High School from 1956 – 1973. During that time, he also taught night classes for veterans. He later was the owner of Taylor’s Insurance Agency and Taylor’s Clothing, both in Commerce.

Mr. Taylor was a member of the First Baptist Church of Commerce where he served as a deacon for a number of years.

Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by his parents, Eliza and Archie Taylor, one son, Gary Taylor, and two brothers, William and Ranza Taylor.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife of 67 years, Audrey LeMarr Taylor; daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Sammy Highsmith, and Karen and William Westbrooks, both of Commerce; a daughter-in-law, Kay Taylor, Port St. Joe, Fla.; a sister, Ruby Lewis, Sun City Center, Fla.; four grandchildren, Lisa Rylee, Casey Westbrooks (wife Lori), John Rylee, and Laura Westbrooks; and three great-grandchildren, Katelyn and McKenna Westbrooks, and John Michael Rylee.

The family will receive visitors at Ivie Funeral Home on Saturday, October 24, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with funeral services on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Commerce. Dr. Carlton Allen, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow at Jackson Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the First Baptist Church of Commerce’s building fund, general fund, or Lottie Moon Christmas fund.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce