Rev. Ralph Taylor

The Rev. Wooten Ralph Taylor, 84, of Paris, TX passed from this life to his reward on Aug. 30, 2017.

Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2nd, at Bethel Temple Church, 1315 S. E. Loop 286, Paris, TX with burial following in Union Cemetery at Taylortown. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Ralph, the son of Jessie C. “Jack” Taylor & Etta Mae Archer Taylor, was born Aug. 20, 1933, in Kensing, TX. He was reared in Taylortown.

On July 22, 1958, he married Virginia Mae Malone in Bonham, Texas building 59 years of family and memories.

Ralph graduated from Cunningham School. He served our country for four years of active duty in the U. S. Air Force followed by four years in the reserves. He received a Bachelor and Masters Degree from Texas A&M in Commerce, TX.

Ralph taught school in Wallace, TX, at Central High in Sumner, Deport, TX, West Lamar, East Lamar and later in 1961, he became the youngest principal in Texas at Delmar, where he taught longer than at any other district. He was also the youngest DJ for KPLT and later worked at Smith Carpets.

In 1980, Ralph followed his heart and pioneered Bethel Temple Church where he was a faithful pastor who loved his congregation and people of all walks of life.

He also recorded three musical CD’s and wrote his own songs.

Pastor Ralph Taylor’s love for God, his wife, his family, his church family, and people will be remembered always.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Ralph Anthony Taylor, and two brothers, R. A. Taylor and Jack Roddy.

Survivors include his soulmate, Virginia Taylor, three daughters; Ramona Hill & husband Terry, Caroline Cleere & husband Chad and Kim Roach & husband Chris, seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, a brother, David Taylor, a sister, Jessie Keel along with several nieces & nephews and a plethora of friends.

He will be greatly miss by his family and all who knew him.

Casket bearers will be: Eric Cleere, Robert Campbell, Nick Gilpin, Cody Hill, Dewayne Perry and Ryne Walker. Honorary bearers will be: Bill McFadden, Roy Bolding, Kenny Gifford, Sean Hill and Paul Jackson..