Douglas Elmore Taylor, 83, of Marshall, NC went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 21, 2025, in Asheville, NC, surrounded by his devoted family. Although he lived with the challenges of dementia for many years, in the midst of all of those challenges he was blessed with faith, family, joy, love, and laughter.

Doug was born on March 18, 1942, in Connelly Springs, NC to the late Lester and Bertie (Miller) Taylor. The ninth of sixteen siblings, he had many responsibilities and worked hard on the family farm. He always held a high regard for education. He graduated from Hildebran High School in 1961. He attended Western Carolina University for two years (1961-1963) then transferred to North Carolina State University (1963-1965). After graduating from North Carolina State in 1965 he returned to Hildebran and married the love of his life, Brenda Abernethy, on September 4, 1965. Following his service in the Air Force (1966-1970), the couple settled in Marshall, NC, where they raised their three daughters and Doug eventually retired as county supervisor at Farmers Home Administration in Madison County.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Brenda, his older brothers, Zane and Troy Taylor, as well as his older sisters, Nena Taylor and Lorena Moore. His daughters, Kimberly (Steve) Jamison, Autumn (Kevin) Conklin, and Nicole (Steve) Norton survive him; along with his grandchildren, Stephanie Jamison, Brandon (Brooklynn) Freeman, Taylor Jamison, Caleb (Elizabeth) Abernethy, Garrin (Molly) Freeman, and Heidi Freeman. He is also missed by his sisters Helena Hanna (widow of Fred), Alta Crocker (widow of Grant), Leathia Conrow, Maxine Cooke (widow of Jim), and Ermine De Yarman (Rick), and his brothers Tommy, Maynard (Shirley), Philip(Berneice), Ronnie (Judy), Tony (Judith), and Earnie (Gunda) Taylor. Many other loved ones, including nieces and nephews, close friends, and 3 great-grandchildren also mourn his passing.

Doug enjoyed farming with his draft horses. He was a devoted Christian, husband, father and grandfather. He was a faithful Sunday School teacher and deacon for many years. And although his disease took many things from him; his love of family, his faith and hope in God, God's Word and his ability to pray remained. We thank God for his life and the influence it had on all who remain to cherish his memory.

A special thank you to the Memory Care Team, especially Dr. Johnson, who gave wonderful outpatient treatment for our precious daddy and support to the family caregivers during our journey with Alzheimers, and to his Palliative Care team, especially Ms. April, his nurse practitioner, who made life much more comfortable for him at home these past few months.

A funeral & celebration of life service will be held Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Turkey Creek Baptist Church, 2206 Bear Creek Rd, Leicester, NC 28748. Pastor Mark Caldwell will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Attending guests, please consider wearing blue in honor of Douglas, as this was his favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to Memory Care, SECU Center for Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803 or www.memorycare.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.