James E. Taylor

James E. Taylor, 74, of Fort Smith, passed from this life June 6, 2017 in Fort Smith. He was born September 4, 1942, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to James W. and Mary Jo Daniel Taylor. James was preceded in death by wife of 49 years, Jeanette Taylor. James retired from Cotton Belt Railroad in 1977. After a few years of retirement, he went back to work, from 1979 to 1990, as kitchen staff at Fort Smith Christian School. James’ free time was always spent with fishing pole in hand wherever the fish were biting. He attended First Baptist Church of Fort Smith. He was a volunteer at Chapel Ridge Nursing Health & Rehab.

He is survived by two daughters, DeAnn Hopson of Fort Smith and Staci Watkins and her husband Rick of Bryant, Arkansas; his son, Ricky Taylor and his wife Jennifer Dishner Taylor of Sherman, Texas; two sisters, Linda Maxwell of Las Vegas, Nevada and Vicki Taylor of North Little Rock; six grandchildren, Joshua Smith and his wife Jaci, Hayden, Gracie and Lucas Taylor and Bella and Braxton Watkins, as well one great granddaughter, MaryGrace Smith. James was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Lawana Peery.

A memorial service will be 11:00am Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. The family will greet and visit with friends following the memorial service in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.

Family requests that memorial contributions be made to Mercy Hospice Fort Smith, 3300 South 70th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 and the television ministry at First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, PO Box 609, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com