JOE LOUIS TAYLOR

Joe Louis Taylor July 6, 1935 - April 26, 2014 SOUTH BEND - Joe L. Taylor, 78, of South Bend, Indiana, departed this life on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 5:36 p.m. in Memorial Hospital. He was born on July 6, 1935, to the union of Morgan and Robbie Kilgore in Memphis, Tennessee. He relocated to South Bend, Indiana, in 1951. Joe married Velma R. Whittaker on June 15, 1963, and to that union five children were born.

Joe was the Vice President of his graduating class of 1953 from South Bend Central High School.

He played Varsity Baseball and Football; Intramural Basketball; Football Club; and was Vice President of the Magicians Club. One of his favorite sayings was: "Little but Mighty." Joe accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Second Baptist Church until his death. Joe was employed with the City of South Bend Street Department; Clark Equipment Company; and retired from Allied South Bend Stamping. Joe enjoyed fishing, family gatherings, and spending special moments with his loving wife.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Velma R. Taylor; a sister, Billie (George) Richmond of South Bend, Indiana; six sisters-in-law: Bessie Whittaker, Louise Pack, Gloria Whitaker, Maxie Whitaker, Odessia Neal, and Beverly Kilgore; and two aunts, Lillie M. Barnes and Ina "Inez" Goss. He leaves to cherish his memory eight children: Loretta (O.J.) Wiggins, Joe Jr., James Anthony, Cheryl L., Michael L. (LaSheen), Kimberly (John Lipsey) Taylor, Stacy (Clyde) Pickens and Nicole (Paul) Harris, all of South Bend. He has 27 grandchildren: Eric (Ramona) Smith, Jodie (Kahlil) Salaam, Joe (Galinda) Taylor III, James (Jonique) Taylor Jr., Jamelle (Anthony) Cherry, Martell Taylor, Antoine (Latoya) Young, Martina Taylor, Gia Wiggins, Antoinette Taylor, Celeste Taylor, Michelle Taylor, Tanisha Taylor, Daron Taylor, Devon Taylor, Kierstin Taylor Pickens, Morgan Carrell, Aubry Gray, Kayla Taylor, Ashlee Carrell, Kacey Pickens, Kelcey Pickens, Phoenix, Phillip, Taylor, and Loryn Harris, and Michael Taylor Jr.; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends; also a special cousin, John Barnes Jr.; special niece, Inuka Collier; and a special nephew, Corey Kilgore.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Morgan and Robbie Kilgore; a brother, Clifford Kilgore; granddaughter, Kaley Pickens; and a brother-in-law, John Whitaker Sr.

Services for Joe L. Taylor will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014, in Second Baptist Church, 24828 Fillmore Road, South Bend. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Sign his guestbook at www.clarkoneal.com. Arrangements entrusted to Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 30, 2014.

03/05/2023 EJS