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EURE – Joseph Thomas “J.T.” Taylor, 83, of 022 Hill Lane Road, died Saturday, August 29, 2020 in Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

Mr. Taylor was born in Hertford County on August 26, 1937, and was the son of the late James Dennie Taylor and Lillie Mae Benton Taylor. A retired heavy equipment operator with the North Carolina Department of Transportation where he worked for over 30 years, he later owned and operated Taylor’s Drainage. A member of Eure Christian Church, he was formerly active in the Hall Ruritan Club and Hare’s Mill Fishing Club. A veteran, he served in the United States Air Force.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Elsie, Nan, and Ruby, and by his brother, Clarence.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Joyce Barrett Taylor; two daughters, Denise Taylor Lassiter and husband, Anthony, of Eure, and Candice Taylor Lockitt and husband, Jim, of Kill Devil Hills; five grandchildren, Natalie Downs, Bambi Forbes, Tiffany Stallings, Trent Whichard, and Chase Whichard; and three great-grandchildren, Taylor Byrd, Jemma Bevill, and Annabelle Stallings.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. under the Open Pavilion at Eure Christian Church and will be conducted by his pastor, The Rev. Wade Bennett. A private burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may visit with the family immediately following the service, where masks and social distancing measures are encouraged. At other time they are receiving friends at the residence.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern NC Alzheimer’s Association, 5171 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27612, or online at www.alz.org/nc.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is handling arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.