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May 23, 1945 – November 12, 2022

RALEIGH – Joseph Cornelius “Joe” Taylor, after a number of years of declining health, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Three Rivers Health and Rehabilitation Center, Windsor, N.C. where he had resided since January 2020.

Joe was born in Newton, N.C. the second of three boys born to the late Blanche Fairless Taylor and Julian Romaine Taylor, both originally from Harrellsville, N.C. Joe lived the first twelve years of his life in Newton where he attended Newton Elementary School. In July 1957 Joe’s father’s job took the family to Raleigh, N.C., where Joe attended Daniels and Martin Junior High Schools and Needham Broughton High School, graduating in 1963. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1968, where he majored in Parks and Recreation Administration. He worked at the North Carolina State University Student Supply Store for 36 years.

Joe was a fierce Wolfpack basketball fan, having attended many games since the time of the Dixie Classics Tournaments. For many seasons he did not miss a home game. He was proud to have traveled with the Pack to tournaments outside of the Continental United States. He was elated to have traveled with the Cardiac Pack throughout the entire 1983 NCAA basketball tournament and Final Four when State won the NCAA National Championship in Albuquerque, N.M.

Joe was a faithful member of Forest Hills Baptist Church when he lived in Raleigh.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Ernest Taylor, and a niece, Shannon Charlene Taylor.

Surviving is his brother, Dr. Julian Raleigh Taylor and his wife Jerrie of Ahoskie; a nephew, Hinton Raleigh Taylor and wife Tracy of Birmingham, AL; two nieces, Dr. Anna Taylor Schmelzer and husband Dr. Thomas Schmelzer of Charlotte and Margaret Taylor Blair and husband Jason Blair of Virginia Beach, V.A.; three great nieces, Sarah and Catherine Taylor and Margaret Schmelzer; and three great nephews, Taylor Schmelzer, and Raleigh and Thomas Blair.

Sadly, Joe suffered from his early teens from a disorder which severely affected his athletic and social life. He lived in the family home with his parents and brother, Jimmy, assisting his parents until their deaths. He stayed the course as well as he could and “kept on keeping on.” He did “not ever, ever give up.”

A graveside service will be held at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, N.C. on Friday November 18, 2022 at 1 p.m. The Reverend Jefferey Douglas will conduct the service.

Joe’s final earthly needs were attended to compassionately by Three Rivers Health and Rehabilitation, Windsor, N.C. and by Liberty Home Care and Hospice, Roanoke Rapids.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Liberty Home Care and Hospice, 93 NC Highway 125, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, N.C., is assisting the family with arrangements.