Ernest Eugene Taylor

Ernest E. Taylor of Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville passed peacefully to his rest on Thursday, December 15, after a period of declining health.

Born May 25, 1928 to the late Homer and Cora Taylor, he lived a life of remarkable service to his church, to his family, and to his many friends. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Peggy Cantini Taylor, and by two sons, Dennis E. Taylor and wife Carol, and Kendall Taylor and wife Jo Ann. He was ìPunkieî to his granddaughters Reneeí T. Feemster and husband Chuck, of Shelby, Kristina T. Nelson and husband Wayne of Charlottesville, VA, and Monica T. Howard and husband Josh of Tuxedo, along with great-grandsons Evan and Noah Feemster. He was known to a multitude of friends as ìErnest Teeî or ìT-Boneî. He is also survived by brothers George Taylor and Marion ìBoî Taylor, and sisters Elizabeth Taylor, Lillie Mae McMinn, and Cora McMinn, and by a large family of nieces and nephews. Brothers Clarence, Carl, and Lloyd Taylor predeceased him.

Mr. Taylor retired from Berkeley Mills (Kimberley-Clark) after 39 years, and later worked in the Wal-Mart garden center. He had been an active apple grower who also enjoyed his hydroponic greenhouse. He found special joy in his wooded acreage in Polk County along a bend of the Green River. Ernest was a gifted craftsman with a unique ability to build and maintain machinery. His work as a shift supervisor at Berkeley Mills gained the respect of all who worked with him and under his leadership. He was a giving and selfless man who spent countless hours helping neighbors in need, building the original facility of Hendersonville First Church of the Nazarene and building and maintaining the Nazarene Camp Meeting grounds on Upward Road. In 2008, a building there was named in honor of Ernest and Peggy in recognition of more than fifty years of faithful service.

A memorial to a life of quiet faith, integrity and investment in others will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 with Pastors Tom Smith and Harry Widener will officiate. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, December 19, 2011 at the church. At other times, the family will be at the home, 763 Sugarloaf Road. The family wishes to thank Drs. James Caserio and Alan Huffman for their care and concern.