Mr. Orville Ray Taylor, 83, former resident of Artemus, passed away Wednesday morning, April 6, 2022, at his home in Lexington, Ky. He was the son of the late Pinkney Allen “Bud” Taylor and Mary M. Moore Taylor Brewer born on May 4, 1938 in Harlan and raised in Knox County.
During his entire life, Orville was devoted to his family and in constant service to others. He shared his love and faith in God beginning with preaching sermons on the riverbank as a young teenager in Artemus. At an early age, he also began his mechanic work building bicycles and go-carts from scraps and continued working on anything that produced motion whether man powered or engine powered. He attended Johnson Bible College in Knoxville Tennessee. Orville had the opportunity to pastor several Christian Churches in his lifetime. He could be found preaching, greeting people, leading song-service, cleaning, making repairs or anything else that was needed. He was always calling family and friends, visiting anyone, especially the sick, offering up prayers for anyone in any situation. Orville was an encourager, mentor, one of a kind gentle soul with the patience of Job. He also never met a stranger, always smiling and extending his hand in love, friendship and service. He was a dedicated member at the Maxwell Street Christian Church and then Southern Acres Christian Church in Lexington for many years. Also, while in Lexington, he worked as a mechanic for John Cook Volkswagen and ProLift from which he retired. He was currently a member of Tates Creek Christian Church in Lexington.
On December 26,1961, he united in marriage with Christine Wynn and to this union three children were born.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Christine; brother Allen Wayne Taylor; sister Betty Lou Taylor Shelton; brothers-in-law Winston Parrott and Don Wynn; brothers-in-law and wives Dorsel (Thelma) Wynn, Elmer (Pat) Wynn, Howard Wynn (infant); sister-in-law Beulah (Don) Martin; stepfather Chris Brewer; stepbrothers Harold, Don, Jimmy, Litton and Griffin Brewer; stepsister Tevis Bays; dear friends Ottis and Bea Platt.
On December 14, 2013, he united in marriage with Kathy Travis.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy of Lexington; three children, T. James and Phillip of Florida, Chris (Jennifer) of Ohio; brother, Joe Bill Taylor (Hazel) of Indiana; sister, Freida Taylor Parrott of Barbourville; sisters-in-law, Regina Taylor and Betty (Vernon) Jordon of Barbourville and Sandra Wynn of Williamsburg; brother-in-law Charles (Pat) Wynn of Ohio; stepbrother Cecil Brewer of Barbourville; grandchildren Laurel, Mason, Lydia, Maxwell, Maggie and Allison; his bonus children, Brian (Johna) Travis and Denise (Michael) Damron of Lexington and Libby (Clayton) Kight of Florida; 11 bonus grandchildren and 7 bonus great grandchildren; dear friends, Frankie and Karen Pilley of Indiana; several nieces and nephews; among other family and a lifetime of friends.
Orville’s memorial service will be conducted at Artemus Christian Church, Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends feel free to gather at the church at any time after 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Campbell Cemetery, Route 6 on Indian Creek.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy go to Artemus Christian Church, P.O. Box 302, Barbourville, KY 40906 in his memory.
This is a courtesy announcement from the Knox Funeral Home.
