James Taylor Sr.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- James T. "Red" Taylor Sr., 77, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 3, 1927, in Fulton, Ky., son of Aubrey T. and Florence A. Dick Taylor. He first married Avanell Sherrod Dec. 22, 1946, in Henderson, Ky. She died Feb. 6, 1969. He later married Irene Louise Ruff Dec. 27, 1969, in Sikeston.

Taylor was a self-employed carpenter and cement finisher. He was a 32nd Degree Mason.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; a son, James Taylor Jr. of Beaumont, Texas; two daughters, Brenda Enoch of Dyersburg, Tenn., Judy Gramling of St. Louis; a stepson, Doug Ruff of Blodgett, Mo.; three stepdaughters, Patricia Vollertsen of St. Louis, Sherian Grayson of Sikeston, Tammy Linam of Kansas City, Mo.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 11 stepgrandchildren; and 11 great-stepgrandchildren.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 12:30 p.m. today until time of service.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the chapel, with the Rev. Kelley Grubbs officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.