John Ray Taylor

John Ray Taylor, 84, of Wilson, died Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Funeral, Monday, 6:00 PM, Forest Hills Baptist Church, followed by a time of visiting and sharing.

John Ray graduated from Charles L. Coon High School in 1952. Upon graduation, he worked with his dad as a bookkeeper at the Frozen Food Lockers. In 1959, when Swift and Company came to Wilson, he began work in the Accounting Department and later worked at Dinner Bell Foods.

His passion for Big Band music started early in high school and continued for many years. He was the trombonist for the Highlighters Orchestra and also played for the 12 Hits and a Miss and the Stardusters.

John Ray was an active member of Five Points Missionary Baptist Church - now Forest Hills Baptist Church - where he served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Boy Scout leader, and was in the hand bell choir.

Surviving is his wife, Cleo Worley Taylor; daughters, Lynn Ethridge (Lindsey) and Lori Brown (Mark) all of Wilson, Beverly Johnson (Alan) of Greensboro; son, John R. Taylor, Jr. of  VA; grandchildren, Sarah Bolin (Jason), Susan Pitts (David), Taylor Johnson (Karla), Frances Beasley (Johnson), Will Brown (Whitney), Rob and Matthew Brown; great-grandchildren, Ava Pitts, Jay and Caroline Bolin, and a great-grandchild, Johnson, due in September; brother, Billy Taylor (Billie Jean) of Wilson.

Memorials are suggested to Forest Hills Baptist Church, Educational Foundation Fund or General Fund, 1407 Forest Hills Rd, NW, Wilson, NC 27896.