Funeral services for Odie Wayne Taylor, 87, were held on August 11, at Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home in Emory, with Reverend Byron George officiating. Interment followed at Smyrna Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Kelton Adams, Trenton Adams, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Roger Follis, John Weaver, and Joshua Mills. Honorary pallbearers were Mike Frost, Jeremy Humphries, Chris Adams and Sam Pundsack.
Mr. Taylor died on August 8, 2025, in the hospital, with his cherished wife by his side. He was born on March 10, 1938, in Emory, to Otis Drayton Taylor and Eva Bell Latham Taylor. He graduated from Emory High School and furthered his education at Tyler Junior College. He later became a well-known welder.
He was married to Dorothy Stewart Taylor, for 42 years, and they shared a life filled with love and understanding.
He was an Army veteran, and carried the values of service and integrity throughout his life. His faith and commitment to Christianity were paramount, and he could be found at church whenever he was able.
Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife; children, Richard Taylor and wife Donna, Leslie Taylor, Joy McCollum and husband Billy, Paula Pundsack and husband Sam, and Mike Womack; grandchildren, Wayne, Amie, Johnny, Christie, Jeremy, Gidget, Jacqueline, Destanie, Chauncey, Roger, JR, Candice, Mike, Laura, Sammy, Sabrina, Stephanie, Jennifer, Holley, Michael, David, Al, Kristi, and Jessica; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Lester Taylor and wife Deloris, Harrel Taylor, Lena Faye Nugent and husband Larry; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Sandra Wood and Brenda Womack; son, Al Tadlock; and siblings, Curtis Lee Taylor and Lou Taylor Walthall.