Verlen Ray Taulbee Sr.

Verlen "Ray" Taulbee, Sr., 81, widower of Maudie Virginia Bush Taulbee, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 30, 1944 in Morgan County, Kentucky, the son of the late Robert Verlen and Sarah Tackett Taulbee. Ray was a hard worker who founded his own fencing company, Taulbee Fencing, where he spent a lifetime making beautiful fences throughout Central Kentucky. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was fond of his rabbit dogs. To Ray there was only one type of tractor and that was a John Deere. He was a huge University of Kentucky basketball fan, especially when they were winning. Ray was a devoted family man and a man of faith, he was baptized on June 4, 2000. He was known to be a great storyteller and enjoyed time talking with others.

Ray will be lovingly remembered by his daughters, Maudie Denice (Tony) Ritchie, Jessica Irene (Clemente) Sandoval, brother, Roger Dean (Kim) Taulbee, sisters, Doris Stevenson, Dianna (Walter) Brown, Donna Allen, grandchildren, Derrick Arthur (Britton) Dye, Darren Matthew Dye, Ryan Patrick Wade, Christopher Ray Wade, Javier Alguera, Hayley Lugo, Hannah Lugo, David Fernando Lugo, Gabriella Lugo, Octavio Sandoval, Junior Sandoval, Antonio Sandoval, Jessi Pablo Sandoval, Alicia Maudie Sandoval, and great-grandchildren, Benjamin Dye, Harvie Dye, Andrew Patrick Wade, Ethan Ryan Wade, Colten Ray Wade, and Paisley Ann Wade.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter, Shelia M. Wade, son, Verlen Ray Taulbee, Jr., brothers, Jerry Wayne Taulbee, Gary Taulbee, sisters, Deloris Marcum, and Myra Helton.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Tucker, Yocum & Wilson Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Friday, February 27, 2026 also at Tucker, Yocum & Wilson Funeral Home, Pastor Eddie Nichols and Pastor Harry Flannery officiating. Burial will follow the service at Georgetown Cemetery where pallbearers will be, Javier Alguera, David Fernando Lugo, Matt Dye, Derrick Dye, Hayley Lugo, and Hannah Lugo. Memorial contributions are suggested to Baptist Health Cancer Foundation, 1740 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40503. Friends and family are encouraged to leave messages of condolence and share memories here on Ray's tribute wall.