Rev. Joe C. Taylor

January 16, 1935 - July 12, 2020

Rev. Joe C. Taylor, age 85, resident of Cleveland, TN, passed away on July 12, 2020, at a Cleveland hospital. He was born in Lawrenceburg, TN to the late Rev. C. M. and Jenorah Taylor. Bro. Taylor was born into a minister’s home, the eldest of 3. Joe gave his life to the Lord when he was 13 years old. He received his calling from God to preach the gospel as a teenager. Joe evangelized in Southern California before attending Lee College, where he met the love of his life, Mava Wimberley. After a courtship at Lee that included going on dates with a chaperone, Joe and Mava married on August 31, 1957, in Houston, MS. Bro. Taylor and Mava ministered in churches in California, Mississippi, Alabama, Indiana, and Tennessee. Bro. Taylor and Mava planted a church in Houston, MS in 1965. Their home on Judy Street was the location for worship service in the living room. Not long after, the Houston Church of God was established. Bro. Taylor’s tenure at the Starkville Church of God remained sentimental until his death, as a shining example of where the Lord moved in a powerful way. Through visitation, fasting, door to door campaigns, bus ministry, choir, new church and parsonage, Starkville Church of God was a full expression of his ministry. Bro. Taylor served as a District Overseer throughout his ministry, serving on boards and committees including the Mississippi Church of God State Youth Board; Indiana Church of God State Council. Bro. Taylor had a true passion for people. He was a mentor to those entering the ministry. He helped many young, aspiring ministers and their wives who were called to serve the Lord and others. Joe enjoyed gardening, fishing, and Tennessee Volunteer football. Life with Joe Taylor was never boring. Anyone who knew Pastor Taylor could tell you his favorite pastime was playing practical jokes on all his friends and family. Pastor Taylor and Mava were pastoring Ladd Springs Church of God until March of this year, four months prior to his unexpected passing. Joe, primarily referred to as Bro. Taylor, Pastor, Honey, Dad, Daddy, and Papaw, stayed active in Cleveland after his official retirement in 1999. He worked for Cleveland City Schools as a bus driver for 17 years. Bro. Taylor is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mava, his 3 children Sherry (Phil) Underwood; Terry (Renea) Taylor; and Cathy Taylor. Grandchildren: Lee (Rachel) Taylor, Darren (Candace) Echols, Josh (Aly) Taylor, Ross (Lindsey) Hagan, Drew Echols, Alex Reid, and Dylan Reid. Great-grandchildren: Sullivan Taylor, Oliver Taylor, Elliott Echols, Emery Echols, Hudson Hagan, Genevieve Taylor, Vera Taylor, and Lydia Taylor. Brother and sister Jimmy (Marilyn) Taylor and Gail Gunderson. Bro. Taylor has a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers: Lee Taylor, Darren Echols, Josh Taylor, Ross Hagan, Drew Echols, and Dylan Reid. A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, July 16, 2020 at Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee St. Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 12:45 p.m. prior to the 1:00 p.m. service. On Friday, July 17, 2020, there will be a Celebration of Life at Houston Church of God at 108 2nd Avenue in Houston MS at 1:00 p.m. CST. The family will receive friends at 12:00 p.m. until 12:45 prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Chickasaw Memorial Gardens in Houston. Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee St. Chapel has charge of the arrangements. We encourage you to share your memories and condolences with the family by going to www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com. Due to current COVID-19 regulations, our staff is committed to taking care of our quests and families tha we serve. Please understand we will be following the State’s COVID guidelines. We also ask all guests and family members attending visitations and services to please bring and wear a mask.