Mr. James Bernard "Sonny" Taylor, Sr., 80, of Grenada, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2016 at his residence. He was born November 27, 1936 in Grenada to James Benjamin and Ella Mae Johnson Taylor.

Sonny was a Contractor, Cattle Farmer, and Landlord. He was an avid collector of coins, authored three books of poetry, and enjoyed fishing and hunting. His poetry conveyed a strong belief in the true value of life, the courage to continue on when all is against you, to be honest, ambitious and enthusiastic to reach your goal. From a young age, he was known for distributing Christmas fruit baskets and continued this for 57 years. He came to Grenada in 1955 as a young, energetic entrepreneur, trading cattle, coins, cars, and working at the Grenada Hosiery mill. He accepted a job at U-Finish Homes in 1960, and began his career as a contractor. Married to his beloved wife for 58 years, he made his permanent home in Grenada. A member of the Church of Christ, he passed from this life peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service with Bro. Steve Hentz and Bro. Charles Willis officiating. Interment will follow in the Wayside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday evening and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the funeral home.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Tribble Taylor; two daughters, Sheree Taylor and Tina Garlington and her husband, Scottie, all of Grenada; one son, Benny Taylor and his wife, Ruthie, a brother-in-law, Jake Tribble and his wife Anita, all of Grenada; four grandchildren, Lee Taylor-Penn and her husband, Josh, Haley Garlington, Taylor Garlington, Ella Claire Garlington and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Delores Ellingburg and Claire Taylor Edwards.
Pallbearers will be Jesse Fowler, Sandye Hodge, Tommy Hayward, Keith Mitchell, Alan Purdie, and Bruce Hill.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks for the exceptional care provided by Sta-Home Health and Hospice and his long-time caregivers, Barbara Bridges and Cynthia Parnell.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, 662-307-2694.