Jerry Wayne Taylor

Jerry Wayne Taylor, 78, of Benton, Ark., formerly of Pine Bluff, Ark., passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016. Jerry had an incurable rare disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). He was born Oct. 9, 1937 at Rison, Ark. to Jewell and Gertrude Hall Taylor. Jerry was an active member of Hurricane Lake Baptist Church in Bryant, Ark. He loved and was loved by his Sunday School class and his church friends. Jerry graduated in 1955 from Rison High School. In 1961, he served in the United States Army. Early in his career, he worked in heavy construction; working for several companies, organizations and projects. These included the Arkansas Highway Department, International Paper, Millwood Dam, Lock and Dams, and Highway 79 Bridge on the Arkansas River. He was also roving engineer on all 18 Titan II Missile Bases while at Midland Construction. In addition, he owned Taylor Realty and Taylor Surveying Company in Pine Bluff. He was also involved in politics for 32 years. He found joy in serving others. Jerry served as Pine Bluff City Councilman for 12 years, Pine Bluff mayor for eight years, Arkansas State Representative for four years, and State Senator for eight years where he was Assistant Pro Tempore. He retired in Dec. 2012, never having lost a race. Jerry enjoyed many pastimes and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. After retirement, he joined a fitness center where he and friends played chair volleyball, followed by lunch together. Of all the blessings in Jerry and Linda's life together, they treasure that of their two children, their three grandchildren and their son-in-law, and the joy that all have accepted Christ as their Savior. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, four year old Jewell Dean Taylor of Rison and Inez Greenlee (Franklin) of White Hall; and brothers, James (Ida) Taylor of Rison and Wiley (Celia) of Rison. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Linda Moore Taylor; his daughter, Pam DePriest and her husband, Don DePriest of Morrilton; his son, Kelly Taylor of White Hall; three grandchildren: Josh DePriest of Edwards, Colo., Amber DePriest of Benton, and Hanna Kelli Taylor of White Hall; brothers: Bobby and wife, Barbara Taylor of Atlanta, Texas, Ben and wife, Cookie Taylor of White Hall, Tom and wife, Janice Taylor of Benton; one sister, Betty Pinckard and husband, Ellis of Pine Bluff; as well as many nieces and nephews and friends are left to mourn his loss. Brother Benny Grant and Brother Clarence Shell will officiate the service. Pallbearers are Tommy Taylor, Scott Pinckard, Corey Taylor, Paul Taylor, Robert Mitchell, Wes Russell, Frank Wilson, Floyd Keene, Tom Bradford, Charlie Cole, Jim Hill, David Davis, Chuck Taylor, and Travis Creed. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. at Watson Chapel Baptist Church, 5514 Pinnacle Lane, Pine Bluff, Ark. with funeral following at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Wilson Cemetery in Rison, Ark. by Ralph Robinson and Son (online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com). Memorials may be made to CurePSP, 30 East Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093 or their website: curepsp.org.