Benny Taylor

Mr. Benny W. Taylor, age 84, of Alabama Highway 168, Boaz, Alabama died on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at his residence.

Service will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at two o’clock p.m. in the Chapel of McRae Funeral Home. Bro. Mark Parris will be officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from noon until funeral time at the funeral home.

Benny Webster Taylor was born in Boaz on October 12, 1933 the son of William and Mabel Taylor and grew up on Sand Mountain working on the family farm. He graduated from Boaz high School in 1954 and married Earlene Pankey in 1956. The couple moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico as Ben served in the 101st Airborne division of the United States Army. After the birth of their only son Juan Jose (J.J.) in 1958, He attended and graduated from: Snead State Community College ( associates degree), Jacksonville State University (bachelor's degree), and Troy State University (master's degree). During this same timeframe, ben worked multiple jobs (truck driver and press operator at Auburn print shop) as Earlene earned her degrees from Auburn University.

Ben moved his family in 1970 to settle in Columbus, Georgia and began a long college education / teaching career in marketing/ management at Columbus Technical Institute and Earlene taught college at Columbus State University. He worked there from 1970-1994 and retired after 24 years. After Ben retired from college teaching, he and Earlene returned to Boaz and built their "dream" retirement home on 60 acres on Highway 168. He became a substitute teacher for many years for Boaz Middle and High School in the late 90s. Ben loved his grandchildren: Jessica and Jarrett Taylor and loved and appreciated his future Daughter-in-Law: Tona Melfi and her son James and honorary great grandchildren Brooklynn and Amara Oaks.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his Son & Daughter-in-Law: Juan Jose “J.J.” & Tona Melfi Taylor of Boaz, Grandchildren: Jessica Taylor, Jarrett Taylor, Great Grandchildren: Brooklynn Oaks and Amara Oaks, Brother & Sister-in-Law: Nathaniel & Sherron Taylor of Tennessee, Sisters & Brothers-in-Law: Janet & Jerry Butler of Boaz, Alice & Randall Weir of Tennessee and Jayne Poston of Tennessee, Brothers-in-Law & Sisters-in-Law: Eldridge & Penny Pankey of Boaz, Kyle Pankey of Moulton, Carolyn Pankey of Moulton, Jason Pankey & Crystal Beck of Albertville, Marquita & Troy Poss of Boaz, Susan & David Denham of Albertville and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife: Dr. Earlene P. Taylor, Daughter Sabrina Gay Taylor, Sister Mary Heider and Brother: Durwood Pankey. The family extends special thanks to Penny Nance, Virginia Reeves, Nancy Dingler, Connie Snead, Paula Armena, Kim McCormick, Christy Tripp and Alacare Hospice.

Pallbearers will be James Oaks, Jeff Butler, Loyd Downs, Jessie Downs, Steve Taylor and Brian Pankey, B. J. Pankey and Jeff Hambey. HonoraryPallbearers will be Kyle Pankey & Eldridge Pankey.

An academic scholarship will be established honoring him at Snead State Community College. Donations in his name in lieu of flowers are welcomed.