Ralph Thomas Taylor

Ralph Thomas Taylor, 74, of Shuqualak, MS passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Baptist Medical Hospital in Jackson, MS.  A graveside service was held Monday, December 28, 2020 at Butler Cemetery in Shuqualak, MS with Bro. Gerald Butler and Bro. Jared Glover officiating. Memorials may be made to Soul Harbor Pentecostal Church, c/o P.O. Box 474, Shuqualak, MS  39361 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL  33607.  Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Ralph Thomas Taylor was born on April 23, 1946 to Baker and Rosalie Thomas Taylor. He was the fifth of five children. He attended Shuqualak Elementary School and high school at Noxubee County High School. Ralph joined the U.S. Navy in 1967 and served until August of 1971. On February 16, 1968 he married his soulmate, Betty Jean Presley, at Butler Pentecostal Church near Shuqualak. After returning home from the military, he worked in the road construction business until 1990 when he purchased what became Taylor Supply, Inc., auto parts business in Shuqualak. Ralph sold Taylor Supply in 2015 after twenty-five years. Upon selling the store, he went to work for Tanner Farms as a heavy equipment operator which he loved doing. His health began to deteriorate in his seventies, and he was forced to slow down. Ralph was a wonderful and loving husband and father. He enjoyed fishing and most anything outdoors. His happiest times were the times he spent with his family. Ralph was a faithful member of Soul Harbor Pentecostal Church in Shuqualak and personally helped build their new sanctuary and fellowship hall buildings.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Joe Taylor, his mother-in-law, Bessie Presley of Shuqualak, MS, brothers-in-law, Rodney Gill of Shuqualak, MS, Bobby Presley and Hubbard Presley of Shuqualak, MS and Sam Vernon of Brooksville, MS.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 52 years: Betty Jean Presley Taylor of Shuqualak, MS; son: Lonnie Thomas Taylor of Ridgeland; one sister: Opal Gill of Shuqualak, MS; two brothers: Otis Taylor (Jean) of Columbus, MS and Olin Taylor (Annette) of Preston, MS; three sisters-in-law: Olga Vernon, Brooksville, MS, Nancy Presley Weaver of Shuqualak, MS and Frances Taylor of Wesson, MS.

Ralph also had four special nieces he claimed for daughters: Sheila VanDevender (Tol) of Shuqualak, MS, Pam Norris (John) of Macon, MS, Robin Dalrymple (Doug) of Columbus, MS, and Kathy Glover (Jared) of Steens, MS.  He claimed their children as his grandchildren, Christopher Newman, Cole Newman, Jack VanDevender, Bhett VanDevender, Sarah Norris, Wyatt Norris, Jase Dalrymple, Taylor Dalrymple, Thomas Glover, Audrey Glover, Houston Glover, and Kayrn Glover. He also leaves a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.