Richard Dowdy Taylor Sr., known by his grandchildren as Peep, born Feb. 23, 1935, went home to be with his Lord and Savior May 18, 2017.
Richard was the oldest of 10 children born to Clifford Taylor and Marie (Nanny) Key Taylor. He was a native of Gadsden, Alabama and a longtime resident of Daphne, Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert Taylor and Larry Taylor; two sisters, Linda Witherington (Ed) and Alice Faye O'Connor (Tim). He was also preceded by his son-in-law, Thomas "Tom" Baird Henson III, who was like a second son.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Martha Jo Hanson Taylor; daughter, Dr. Pamela Taylor Henson; son, Richard Dowdy Taylor Jr. and Pam Guy, who was like a second daughter. He is also survived by three grandsons, Joshua Taylor Henson, Richard Blakely Taylor and Zachary Marshall Taylor; three sisters, Jeanette (Claude) Puckett, Wanda Entrekin, Jane McWilliams; two brothers, James Earle "Jimmy" (Pat) Taylor and Gene Taylor.
Richard joined the Navy when he turned 17 and proudly served aboard the USS Shields.
Upon returning from the service, he worked for the L & N Railroad (CSX) for over 20 years before retirement.
He loved flowers and plants and could root and grow anything. He loved his family dearly and during his time of illness, he often wanted to see his Mother and Father. Now he has joined all those loved ones who had gone before him.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Eastern Shore Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until time of the service.
Interment will follow at Daphne Baptist Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to their neighbors on Lachlan Court and the Daphne Fire Medics for their help in getting Richard back up when he fell so many times. Also, the caregivers from Springhill Home Health, Elizabeth, Jessica, Lilly and Kim. Special thanks to Hugh Durden, who was sent by God to help care for Richard.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, the Heart Association, or your favorite charity.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 27409 Hwy. 98, Daphne, AL 36526, 251-625-2900, www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.
