Edwin Ray Taylor was born in 1901; he was licensed and ordained to preach by Little Obion Baptist Church, Wingo, Kentucky, in the Graves County Baptist Association in 1935. He was self-educated and a forceful preacher of the gospel. He had a small library and an "old clunker" typewriter and regularly used typewritten notes for his sermons. He always quoted a lot of scriptures in his sermons.His parents died when he was young and he received only a meager formal education, not finishing high school. He pastored in the Wickliffe, Kentucky area in his early years, as half or quarter time, while also farming to support his family. He pastored churches in the Blood River Baptist Association and for churches mostly in the Graves County Baptist Association through his later years.
The following Memorial was written after his death in 1983:
____________ E. R. (Ed) Taylor
Graves County (KY) Association of Baptists Memorials"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Revelation 14:13.
It is of great comfort to know that as the Lord has called home fellow-saints from our midst, their "labors" continue on in our hearts, homes, churches and communities. They are greatly missed, but we thank our Lord for what they meant to so many. We are most grateful for the privilege of knowing them and having served with them.
We feel that it is justly be-fitting that the Graves County Association of Baptists pay a special tribute of honor and respect to the memory of Brother E. R. (Ed) Taylor who for many years pastored churches and served faithfully and well this association. He has left imperishable footprints in the sands of time of Graves County Baptists. It is suggested that his name head the list of the departed saints that are to be named in this year's minutes of the annual association.
To the loved ones of all the departed, we express our Christian sympathy; May God's comforting grace and richest blessings be upon you, is our prayers.
Respectfully submitted, Charles C. Nelson. [This information and document provided by Bro. Taylor's niece, June Kay Taylor, Wingo, KY. - Transcribed by Jim Duvall.]
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