Thomas Eugene "Gene" Taylor

Gene Taylor, age 92 of Conyers, died Wednesday, September 12, 2024, two weeks shy of his 93rd birthday, after a battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 66 years, Willie Mae Carter (Billie) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Gene is survived by sisters Nina Gaddis of Jackson and Zelma Turner of Milledgeville, sons Stan Taylor of Atlanta and Steve Taylor of Madison, daughter Cathy Wilson of Covington, grandsons Victor Taylor of Clarkston and Taylor Wilson of Adairsville, granddaughter Whitney Wyrick and her son, Cayson Stewart, Gene's great-grandson, of Covington, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.
Thomas Eugene Taylor was born on September 27, 1931 in Crawfordville, Georgia, the oldest son of Felton and Ruth Kelly Taylor, and graduated from Alexander Stephens Institute in 1948, having received honors as a member of the Beta Club and Future Farmers of America. He went on to serve in the
United States Army in U.S. occupied Germany during the Korean war, having the honor of winning competitions as the Guidon Bearer of Fox Company, Artillery Infantry.
Mr. Taylor became a grocer in his teen years and spent over 50 years in the grocery business until his retirement in 1997. He had worked his way up from stock clerk to Manager and Supervisor with Alterman Foods, then on to head buyer and CEO of independent chains Super Valu and Piggly Wiggly.
He married the former Willie Mae Carter (Billie) in 1955 and went on to raise their three children in Decatur and Conyers.
A strong man of faith, Gene was a former member of Glenwood Hills Baptist Church in Decatur and a current member of Rockdale Baptist Church in Conyers, and taught Sunday School for many years.
He was a master gardener and for decades grew a large, plentiful garden of flowers and almost every vegetable one can think of, which his wife would can and freeze. Both were featured on the front page of the Rockdale Citizen newspaper as gardening aficionados.
Gene and Billie are buried in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia, Section 10, grave 1781. An interment for Gene with full Military honors was held on September 30th, managed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
A memorial service will be held at Rockdale Baptist Church on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 with visitation at 1:00 pm and service at 2:00 pm with Pastor Billy Moss officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society online at standuptocancer.org or in person at the local office at 1552 Shoup Ct, Decatur, GA 30033. STAND UP TO CANCER.
Condolences may be submitted online at www.scotward.com - Scot Ward Funeral Services - 699 American Legion Rd NE, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216