A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at First United Methodist Church in Belzoni for Joe Lynn Taylor, 83, of Southaven, who died on Friday, June 9, in Southaven. Burial followed in Houston Cemetery in Houston. Visitation was held one hour prior to service time on Thursday, June 15, at the church.
Joe was born on July 13, 1939, in Grenada, the son of the late Eugene Jenkins Taylor and the late Ida Irene Gray Taylor. He was a graduate of John Rundle High School in Grenada and Mississippi State University. He graduated in agriculture education and taught in Vaiden and Winona. He began a career with the USDA Farmers Home Administration in 1968, and moved to Greenville. Then, in 1971, he moved to Belzoni where he continued to work for Farmers Home Administration.
In 1982, Joe started a career in agriculture lending and banking with Citizens Bank and Trust Company now known as BankPlus. As a banker, he enjoyed making lifelong friendships with his customers and always going above and beyond to meet their needs. He retired from BankPlus in 2004. He was a member of Belzoni First United Methodist Church and served on numerous committees. He later attended Maples Memorial United Methodist Church in Olive Branch.
In addition to his parents, his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Taylor, and his wife, Mary Jean Sykes Taylor, preceded Joe in death.
Survivors include, his son, Jeffrey Sykes Taylor (Vicki) of Southaven; one granddaughter, Mary Horton Taylor of Southaven; two brothers, Eugene “Gene” Taylor of New Albany and Gary Taylor (Melodie) of Bentonia and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Ave., Suite 902, New York, N.Y. 10018 or First United Methodist Church of Belzoni, P.O. Box 532, Belzoni, MS 39038.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.memorialfuneralhomehouston.com
Memorial Funeral Home of Houston was in charge of arrangements.
