James Elbert Taylor

OBITUARY

JAMES ELBERT TAYLOR was born on April 19, 1938 in Nashville, North Carolina to the late Anderson Taylor, Sr. and Almyria P. Battle Taylor.

He was called to his eternal home at the age of 84 on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina surrounded by his beloved family.  The second of seven children, James was preceded in death by brothers, George, Johnnie, Walter and sister Beulah.

James graduated in 1959 from Central High School in Gates, North Carolina.  His quote from high school was, “Before you start, see your way clear.”  He played basketball and sang in the choir.  James loved to sing and faithfully went from singing in a gospel choir when young to singing in the Church Choir, Mass Choir and the Male Chorus.

On May 28, 1960, James married the love of his life, Ola Mae Bond and they moved to Brooklyn, New York.  He took on different jobs, eventually becoming an Electrician and working for Con Edison for 34 years, retiring in 1996.  Since James had given his life to Christ at an early age, he continued on his Christian journey in Brooklyn, New York at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.  Later that year, James and Ola left New York and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where they became faithful members of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Clifford A. Jones, Sr.  James could be found singing in the Friendship Church Choir, Mass Choir and especially the Male Chorus.  He labored diligently in ministry at the Men’s Shelter and Women’s Shelter.  A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, he enjoyed spending time with his family partying, eating, attending various church related events, New York Mets games, grilling, and loved fishing.

James was a member of Sons of Job Lodge #39 and King David Lodge #9, both in New York.  He was past Master in both lodges, a member of New York Grand Consistory

and was a 33 ^rd Degree Mason.

James leaves to cherish loving memories:  a devoted wife, Ola Mae of 62 years; two brothers, Anderson, Jr. and Gradis (Mignon); sisters-in-law, Linda Rogers (Edward)

and Delores Brown; brothers-in-law, Floyd Bond, Herbert Bond (Dora); three children,

Sheila Wright (Kevin), Deborah Taylor, James Michael; three grandchildren, Tiffany Jeanette Taylor, Liana Gabrielle Rankin (John) and Andre Lamar Taylor; three

great-grandchildren, Peyton Jeanine Davis, Jaida Nicole Rankin, Jaxson Terrell

Rankin and a host of relatives and friends.