Obituaries 11-16-23

BENJAMIN LANE TAYLOR

April 30, 1949-Nov. 11, 2023

Funeral services for Benjamin Lane Taylor, 74, of Waynesboro, were

conducted on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 from Waynesboro First Baptist Church

in Waynesboro, with Dr. Steve Smith officiating.

Interment followed at Serenity Gardens Cemetery in Waynesboro.

Born in Waynesboro on Saturday, April 30, 1949 to the late Guy and

Franzine Wells Taylor, he loved life and loved his Heavenly Father first

and foremost. He embraced his retirement from Power South Energy in

Leroy, Ala., after 40 years of service.

He was an active and faithful member of First Baptist Church, where he

served as a Deacon, Discipleship Training Director and a member of the

choir and praise team.

One of the most important things --- and one in which he took the utmost

pride and joy --- was in his work with the Gideons. He believed in the

importance of sharing the love of God through this ministry and worked

diligently to make sure that the Word of God was spread to as many

people as possible.

He enjoyed spending time with his wife, traveling with First Baptist

Church 49+ and watching and talking anything football, especially his

Wayne County War Eagles with his best bud, Russell Herring.

Lane loved his Heavenly Father, his family and his church, where he had

been a member for 30-plus years.

He died on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at Forrest General Hospital in

Hattiesburg.

He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Carol Taylor of

Waynesboro; three daughters and sons-in-law, Natasha Taylor and Eric

Waller of Hattiesburg, Jennifer and Casey Johnston of Vancleave and Gina

Taylor and Wyatt Hunter of Hattiesburg; five grandchildren, Lexi Taylor,

Caroline Boudreaux and Jacob Boudreaux, all of Hattiesburg, Madison Ivy

of Waynesboro and Drew Johnston of Vancleave; his brother, Bill Taylor

of Braxton; two sisters, Monica Dale Reddoch of Waynesboro and Carol

Blackledge of Ellisville; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Franzine Wells Taylor.

Honorary pallbearers were the Wayne County Camp of the Gideons.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gideons

international, P.O. Box 2, Waynesboro, MS 39367 or First Baptist Music

Ministry, 814 Azalea Dr., Waynesboro, MS 39367.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.