James A. “Bennie” Taylor

James A. “Bennie” Taylor, 76, of Moberly, the owner of the Million-Taylor Funerals passed away March 16, 2006 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. 
Mr. Taylor was born September 18, 1929, in Cairo to Hubert & Ester (Shaw) Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was a long time business owner in Moberly and surrounding area. He had owned and operated the funeral homes from 1979 until the time of his death.
Bennie served in the Army and then retired from United States Air Force serving during World War II.  He was a member of the North Park Baptist Church, the Masons, Scottish Rites, York Rites, Shriners, Lions Club and the VFW.
On July 16, 1960, in Randolph County, he married Wilma Frances Johnston Smith and she survives of the home.
He is also survived by his children James and Ginny Taylor Jr., of Des Moines, IA; Susan and Larry Wooten, of Madison; Rand and LeAn Smith, of Moberly; and Rhonda and Mark Olson, of Moberly. Twelve grandchildren Tracy Taylor, Kelsie Taylor, Johnathan Taylor and Benjamin Taylor all of Des Moines, IA; Charity and Jerry Washam, of Moberly; Janetta and Chris Grain, of Savannah; Bobby and Shelly Smith, of Higbee; Lisa and B. J. Westfall, of Higbee; Brandon and Sheryl Forgy, of North Carolina; Blake Forgy, of Oakridge, TN; Faith and Brad Zimmerman, of Kansas City; Scott and Susie Smith, of Higbee; one step-grandchild Josh Olson, eleven-great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren and on step great-great-grandchild. Two brothers Jerry and Jean Taylor, of Arizona; and Kenneth and Grace Taylor, of Topeka, KS; one daughter-in-law Brenda Smith, of Higbee; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Robbie Smith, brother Wallace “Bud” Taylor, sisters Martha Johnson and Nina Edds, also one brother and one sister in infancy.
Services will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at Million-Taylor Funeral Home in Moberly with Reverend Howard Smith officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Madison with full military honors. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Masonic Services at 6:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
Contributed by Don Duvall
Source: Monroe County Appeal, March 23, 2006