Johnnie Paul Taylor

Johnnie Paul Taylor age 67 of Batesville, formerly of Cave City, died Thursday, August 21, 2014 in a Little Rock hospice center. Born January 11, 1947 in Cave City, he was the son of Clay and Ila Taylor. He was a carpenter and a contractor by trade and a long time member of Desha First Baptist Church. He served on the Building and Grounds Committee, the Finance Committee and was a member of the choir. He also served as the Sunday School Director. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, and was made Master Mason May 27, 1977. He was past Master Mason of Mt. Zion Lodge #10 in 1980, he was District Deputy Grand Master in 1981 and he served as Secretary for Mt. Zion Lodge #10 for 7 years. He enjoyed traveling in his RV to see the US and to attend Blue Grass festivals. He also enjoyed playing golf, spending time in Gulf Shores, Alabama and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Brenda Taylor; daughter Teri Taylor and her fiance, Dean Ostrander of Batesville; daughter Tanya Harmon and her husband Chester of Cabot; stepdaughter Renee Tester and her husband Joel of Hot Springs; stepson Nickey Pearson and his wife Judy of Pleasant Plains; grandchildren Nickey Lynn Pearson and his wife Erin of Pleasant Plains; Peighton Taylor of Batesville; Jake Tester of Hot Springs; Emily Harmon of Cabot and Chelsea Emerson and her husband Zach of Beebe; great granddaughter Peyton Pearson of Pleasant Plains and great grandsons Jordan and Jackson Emerson of Beebe; brother Tommy Taylor and his wife Donna of Batesville; sister Dorothy Taylor of Batesville; sister Carrie Watson of Cave City; sister in law Pat Taylor of Batesville and brother in law O.C. Mullen of Cave City. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Bobby Lee, Bill, Charles, and an unnamed infant and one sister, Jo Mullen. Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 24, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at the Desha First Baptist Church with Bro. Josh Swinea and Bro Troy Sharp officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until service time at the church. Burial will follow in the Kyler Cemetery located at Southside with arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service of Batesville. Pallbearers will be Keith Harmon, Brett Farris, Ronnie Bailey, Chester Harmon, Nickey Lynn Pearson, Danny Watson, Winfred Reed and Jake Tester. Honorary pallbearers are David Hartwick, Dr. Ronald Hardin, Nickey Pearson, Neal Pankey, Charlie Gray, Dr. Dan Robertson, Tommy Taylor, Blake Tarpley, Dean Ostrander, Joel Tester and Ron Howard. Memorials may be made to the scholarship fund at Desha First Baptist, PO Box 129, Desha, AR 72527.