Joseph David "J.D." Taylor, age 86, went to join his Heavenly Savior on Monday, November 17, 2025.

He was born in Bladen County, NC on November 27, 1938 to the late Wilton and Minnie Mae Deaver Taylor.  He was a seventy-eight-year member of East Lumberton Church of God where he attended since the age of nine. He was lovingly know by the children of the church as the "Candy Man"

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Elizabeth Britt and an infant sister, Betty Ruth Taylor.

J.D. was employed by Smith's Refrigeration for 26 years, and U.R.E for 12 years installing commercial refrigerated coolers.

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Etta Mae Collins Taylor, of the home; his four children, David Taylor (Ginny), Lisa Pittman (Alvin), Ruth Copeland (Keith) and Sandra Lewis (Tim), all of Lumberton; ten grandchildren, Katie Lewis White (Christian) of Cary, Kayla Priest (Jonathan) of Lumberton, Timothy Lewis (Hannah) of Bladenboro, Heather Taylor of Newton Grove, Ericka Odom (Jamie) of Wilmington, Jordan Nance of Lumberton, Meghan Smiling (Jacob) of Lumberton and Rebecca Lewis of Lumberton, NC, Nevaeh Rios, Micah Rios, both of Lumberton; six great-grandchildren, Kayleigh Priest, Teddy White, Hayleigh Priest, Jayleigh Priest, Frankie White and Jenna Lewis; his special uncle, Albert Deaver (Charlene) of Kansas and a host of many friends and family members.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Liberty Home Care and Hospice for their loving care and support during J.D.'s illness.

A time of visitation with family and friends will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 1:00-2:00PM at East Lumberton Church of God, 100 Dresden Ave., Lumberton.

A funeral service will follow on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 2:00PM at East Lumberton Church of God with Pastor Tim Lewis and Pastor Jerry Flowers officiating. Burial will follow at New Hollywood Cemetery in Lumberton.