Johnny Mack Taylor

Mr. Johnny Mack Taylor, 81, of Lumberton passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025, at home peacefully. He was born in Robeson County on April 7, 1944, to the late Homer Frank and Thelma Baxley Taylor.

Johnny owned and operated his own auto repair shop in Lumberton until his health wouldn’t allow him to work any longer. His biggest passion was drag racing. Hearing the stories he told and the stories others told about his ability to drive a race car was amazing. He not only drove the race cars, but he built his own engines, carburetors, and did his own maintenance work. In 1988, he along with his brother and a family friend built and put together a 1980 Datsun pick up truck which they gave the name, “The Japanese Heartbeat.” Many races were won with that truck! Some folks to this day tell how other racers hated to see him and his truck pull in the gate because they knew he was hard to beat. His name and his victories are still heard to this day around the tracks. Johnny passed his love of auto mechanics and drag racing down to his son Johnny Jr. who will proudly carry on his dad’s legacy.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers Frank and Ertle Taylor and his sisters, Margaret Townsend and Shelby Smith. He is survived by his son, Johnny Taylor Jr. and Deanna, brother Jackie Taylor and Peggy, a sister-in-law, Mary Taylor, a special son, James Robinson Jr. “Jr.”, special daughter, Ann Locklear, and special friend Pamela Westbrooke, all of Lumberton, and one sister Betty Russ of Chicago. He also leaves behind three grandchildren Nicole Deleon of Hinesville, GA, Sharlene Turner of Bladenboro, NC and Russell Packer of Atlanta, GA, six great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the home of Johnny Jr. and Deanna, 2521 East 5th Street in Lumberton, NC.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 10 am in the Speight-Taylor Cemetery in Allenton, North Carolina.