John Walker Taylor, 81, of Fayetteville, departed this earthly life to be with his heavenly Father on Saturday, July 27, at Centennial Hospital. He was the beloved son of Mac and Evelyn Gray Taylor, both of whom preceded him in death. John was a devoted and compassionate husband, father, and grandfather. As an elder at the Fayetteville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he exemplified the importance of living one’s faith through actions and integrity.
John received his early education at the Fayetteville City Schools and graduated from Central High School in 1961. He continued his education at Middle Tennessee State University, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree, along with 45 additional hours in Mathematics and Industrial Technology. Initially set on a career in engineering and science, a life-changing phone call redirected him to a lifelong passion: education.
For 39 years, John dedicated himself to teaching in the Lincoln County School System. He spent fourteen years at Flintville High School before moving to Lincoln County High School, where he primarily taught mathematics, specializing in Geometry. Over the course of his career, he taught approximately 6,000 students, often remembering them by face and name. John earned the admiration and respect of many former students who credited him with having a significant impact on their lives. He was honored with a Teacher of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to education. Beyond the classroom, John taught homebound students and served as the Director of Adult Education, assisting adults in earning their General Education Diplomas. He also worked summers in construction with CFW Construction Company.
Besides teaching, John loved farming. When asked about why he became a teacher instead of pursuing a higher earning potential career at Redstone Arsenal, he stated that he liked teaching students and having his summers off to have more time on the farm. He loved being on a tractor, taking care of his cows and especially, talking about farming. His hobbies included building things for his children and grandchildren, listening to country music and watching singing competitions with his wife. John knew almost every country music singer and their songs for the last 70 years, first, listening to the radio as a child and then later as an adult with County Music Television and the Grand Ole Opry.
John married his loving wife, Betty Jo Wallace Taylor, on July 31, 1965. They shared nearly 59 years together, richly blessed with two devoted sons, Chris (Lissa) and Matt (Kim). He cherished his grandchildren, Sydney and Dylan Taylor of Murfreesboro, TN, and Libby, Lee, and Wes Taylor of Nashville, TN. John is also survived by many loving cousins, students, and friends.
John Walker Taylor’s legacy, as an educator and mentor, will continue to inspire all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community.
The family asks if you want to make a donation, please do so to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E Ohio Street Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60611 or to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1015 Lewisburg Hwy., Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Funeral Services will be held at 3pm on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Fayetteville Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tim Smith and Chris Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be from 1:30 pm to 3 pm on Sunday at the church.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John Walker Taylor
Mr. Taylor was my math teacher in high school. He was a great teacher. He always pushed us all to do our best in his class. He was a great listener & helped us out when we needed help on our work. He will be truly missed by everybody who knew him. Praying for Mrs. Betty & the family.
The impact that teachers have on their students’ lives is immeasurable. Although decades have passed since we all sat in Mr. John Taylor’s classroom, that feeling we had when he greeted us back then has not faded a bit from our collective memories. Mr. Taylor’s math classes remain forever quite vivid in our brains. He was most certainly a big part of our best childhood memories. He was a friend, a counsellor, an educator. Mr. Taylor touched our hearts in a very special way. He gave us more than math lessons, he gave us a part of his heart.
Thank you for inspiring us. You made a lasting impact on us all. Forever in our hearts, The Flintville High School Class of 1972.
Betty and family: Thinking of you at this difficult time. John and I shared classes and friendship during our college days. We send our deepest sympathy.
Fred & Carol Roe
One of my favorite memories of John is that he would bring wounded math textbooks to me so that I could repair them in the library workroom. He had to promise not to tell other teachers so that I would not be overwhelmed. ; ) He and I grew up with parents that lived through the Great Depression so learning to make do with limited resources was important to both of us. I am glad for the students and faculty who loved him that he answered the call to teach over a more lucrative career choice. We have been blessed. Now Heaven is!
We are so sorry for the Taylor family in the loss of Mr. Taylor .He was not only my teacher he was a friend and mentor, He followed me through college and kept up with me in my career. The things I learned from the 6 classes I had under him was used every year in my 50 year career .He was one of the top teachers I had in school and math is something we all need daily .We’ll all miss him but no one can take away our memories and we will all get to see him after this life is over. He started teaching at Flintville when I was a freshman and I took everything he taught because he was a good teacher and supported us. We’ll miss him.
My sincere sympathy goes out to all of the family of Mr. Taylor. He was one of those teachers that was a favorite. He taught me a lot of things I still use from time to time. My thoughts are with you all during this time.
Lenace Hyde Lehnert
Sending my thoughts of sympathy & love.
So very sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort, strength and peace for all the family. What a joy to know he will be waiting for you to meet him in glory one day!
Betty and family,
We were so sorry to hear about the passing of John. He was a neighbor for many years and we thought the world of him and his parents. You will be in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
I loved John. He was an awesome teacher, coworker and friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with Betty and his family.
John was a Christian and his life was well lived.
Mr Taylor was one in a million when it came to being a teacher but as a person and a friend, he was one in 10 million. He helped to understand geometry and other things involving math and life. One day my wife and I had traveled to Nashville and we went into a cracker barrel and there was Mr Taylor and his wife. A few years after that, my wife and me traveled to Birmingham and ran into Mr Taylor again at a cracker barrel. My prayers and love are with the family at this time.
Mr. Taylor was a wonderful teacher and mentor to young people. I loved geometry in large part because of his instruction. I remember Mr. Taylor’s demeanor often when teaching math myself and hope to inspire young minds as he did. He was dependable and kind. I extend deepest condolences to his family at this time.
I am so sad to hear about John’s death. He was a great math teacher for my own children John and Susan.
I was also honored to teach Matt and Chris at Highland Rom School. I will be praying for you during this sad time.
Love, Martha Wolf
Mr. Taylor was my all time favorite teacher! He was my geometry teacher in 1985-86 school year. I was a pregnant teenager (which was taboo back then) and he was ALWAYS so very kind to me. He never fussed on me or acted like he was disappointed in me, like so many others. He always wanted to know how my doctor’s appointments went and how I was feeling. He always brought me snacks LOL. He represented what a true Christian is. I always admired him for that. My condolences to his wife, sons, grandchildren and family. He was truly a bright light in my world ❤️
With a heavy heart, I wish my condolences to Mrs. Taylor and family. Mr. Taylor had a profound impact on my life as he did many others. He taught me more than Geometry. He taught me to love learning. That’s the best gift a teacher can ever give a student. As an adult, I was never met without a smile, a pat on the shoulder and a genuine interest in where life had taken me. A beautiful man indeed!
1981-82 Geometry. We called Mr. Taylor “Pops”. Most days, Buddy Pittenger would draw a characature of Mr. Taylor in some funny situation and tape it to the wall. My favorite was “Pops Tart”, his face coming out of a toaster. Pops would find it hanging on the wall, rip it down, lay it on his desk, and get on with class never mentioning it. Late in the year, when he was out of the room, I searched his desk looking for a pencil. I found a stack of Buddy’s drawings. He’d kept them all. Mr. Taylor was a great one, and we all sort of knew it even then. Rest in Peace, Pops.
Mr. Taylor believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He was determined that I was going to understand Algebra no Matter how long it took him. I never will forget that side smile of his when I looked up and said oh my gosh this makes sense. He and his wife Mrs. Taylor were always dear to my heart. I know how much she will miss him. There will never be as great a math teacher as him.
Gary and I send our deepest sympathy to all of you. John was an exemplary man and respected by all who crossed paths with him. We love you all and will pray for your peace during this heartbreaking time.,
So sorry for your loss. He was a great man.
I’m so sorry to hear the news about Mr. Taylor’s passing. I was his math student in high school, and I remember him fondly. He made a big impact on many students. Prayers for the family.
Betty and boys, so so sorry to learn of John’s passing. Ronnie enjoyed working with him at the high school . You are in my prayers at this difficult time
Betty Jo, Chris, & Matt,
Ralph & I are so saddened to hear of John’s passing. I know he has joined the cloud of witnesses in heaven that surrounds us. I am so glad that I married into the Good family & got to know you all. I am also glad we were able to attend the last reunion to see everyone. We knew John was struggling with his health, but did not think it would be the last time to see him this side of heaven. He was a true gentleman. I pray your entire family will experience the God of all Comfort in a new way during this time.
Many blessings & prayers,
Sharon Good
Betty,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your wonderful husband. I know you will miss him.
love you,
Ray
We are so sorry for your loss of John. Our hearts hurt with yours . We always loved seeing both of you in town with your smiles so big and words always encouraging. Please know that all of you are in our prayers now and in the future. With love, Sarah and Jack
My thoughts are with you and your family,
God Bless the Taylor family! Mr. Taylor was a great man and teacher! It was a honor to work with such a man for several years.
Prayers to the family! He will be truly missed.
My sincere condolences to Betty and their children and grandchildren. John was such a nice person in high school and I’m sure he will be missed by many family, friends and students. May God be with John’s family as they go thru this time of mourning and loss.
So sorry. He was one of my favorite teachers. Such a good man…Praying for all the family. 🙏🏻
Mrs. Taylor and family….we offer our heartfelt condolences to you at this difficult time. Always enjoyed Mr Taylor when I would see him and that was usually with Mrs Taylor right by his side. A privilege to have known him. Prayers for peace and comfort in the days ahead. Christi & Michael Thompson
So sorry to hear of Mr Taylor’s passing. He was a great teacher and was loved by many. My prayers are with his family and friends.
Betty Jo and family, I am so sorry. .John will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A dear FLINTVILLE Freshman Math teacher for me… My memories of his teaching and classroom humor will never leave me… I HAVE shared those memories many times over my 50 plus years… Praise Almighty God for John Taylor, IN JESUS NAME AMEN…
Taylor Family, Mr. Taylor was such a wonderful person and amazing teacher. He was always kind and explained everything how ever many times was needed. Sending our condolences in this time. Thank you for sharing him over the many years he taught all of his students.
Betty, I am so sorry to read of John’s passing.
Prayers for God’s comfort to you and the family now and in the coming days!
Becky
Mr Taylor was of favorite teachers. Prayers for you the family
John was a great man and a good friend.
Praying for the family. He will be missed.
Mrs. Taylor and family: So sorry to hear about Mr. Taylor passing away. Wonderful memories of Mr. Taylor at LCHS. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I just didn’t understand Algebra and Mr. Taylor knew I would never get it so he passed me on at Flintville High School. I appreciated him for knowing me that well. He was a great teacher and he tried his best with me. I enjoyed being around him in and out of the class room and I’ll miss seeing him working around his home when I drive by. Mrs. Taylor, I’ll be thinking about you and the “boys” as Mr. Taylor called them. May all the good memories you have of him bring you through to brighter days.
Betty, We are so very sorry of hear of John’s death. Jimmy was honored to call him a friend and classmate. I know he has struggled the last few years and know that he is now restored in health and spirit. Praying that your many wonderful memories bring you all comfort and peace. He was a great man of faith and an example for all.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mr Taylor’s passing. He was one of my high school teachers as well as his wife in 1983. Prayers to the family.
Miss Betty, I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. John was a much loved and respected man. May the peace of our loving GOD and sweet memories comfort you and your family.
Betty, I am so very sorry for your loss. You are a very special couple. I enjoyed seeing you occasionally out shopping because you always smiled and spoke to me. John will be missed.
I’m so sorry . He was my teacher , my co worker when I was a teacher and a great friend .
I’m so sorry to hear the news about Mr. Taylor’s passing. I was a student of Mr. & Mrs. Taylor at Flintville. Mr Taylor was a fine teacher and a gracious gentleman. Later I had the privilege of coaching Chris and Matt in baseball and Mr & Mrs Taylor never missed a game. I will never forget the good times I had in his classes and the times we enjoyed after school as well. God Bless a truly wonderful person and his family.
Betty Jo, Chris, Matt and families, You are in our thoughts and prayers as you deal with the loss of you precious husband, Dad, father-in-law and grandfather. John showed such strength as he dealt with his health issues. So many young people loved him during his many years of teaching, and he loved his farm and cattle and his life, but most of all his family. Such a tremendous legacy! May God bless each of you in the days ahead as you adjust to the great changes in your lives. We love you, Wanda and Bob Williams and family, and Naomi Wallace
Betty, Chris and Matt, I am so sad to be reading this but rejoicing in knowing that John is now taking in the all the wonders of heaven. I know your hearts are aching at his passing as is mine. It was such an honor to call him friend over so many years and know that my thoughts are with you and I pray that you feel the awesome presence of the Lord who loves and cares for you so very much.