SHEPHERD TAYLOR

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Shepherd “Wayne” Taylor, age 80, of Sumter, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at home.

Born on June 7, 1946, in Memphis, Tennessee, to William and Elnora Bennett Taylor, Wayne lived a life defined by his religion, humor and dedication to family.

Wayne attended Geeder High School in Memphis. After high school, Wayne left home to live in Bronx, New York. There he worked as a steel punch operator for New York Spool. After the company closed, he came to live in his wife’s hometown of Sumter. They resided there until his recent death.

Wayne has always had a love of cooking and sharing large meals, especially for Sunday dinners and barbecuing and reminiscing about favorite recipes from his hometown of Memphis.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Queen Heaster Lemon-Taylor, and their daughter Michelle W. Taylor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by one grandchild, Jennayne S. Taylor of Philadelphia; sisters Mary Hurt and Georgia M. Johnson; one brother, Linzo (Nadine) Taylor, all of Memphis; a sister, Elsie Sadler, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and many beloved extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his only son, Dwayne Lamont Taylor, and brothers Lawrence A. Kendle, Willie Joe Taylor and Raymond Taylor. Predeceasing him were his parents.

Wayne was dedicated and baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 13, 1973, in Bronx. He enjoyed being out in the ministry, with the friends, talking to neighbors and strangers alike about the “good news about God’s Kingdom.” Prior to becoming home-bound, it was his desire to do more in the ministry. He sorely missed that part of his weekly activity. However, he always had the most recent copies of The Watchtower prominently displayed on the living room coffee table. He would always start a conversation about the timely subject at hand. Preparing for weekly meetings became more difficult as his illness progressed. However, he enjoyed either starting mornings, if not ending his evenings, with reading and meditating on the Daily Text. One of his favorite scriptures was Revelation 21:3, 4.

Friends and family are invited to honor his memory at a memorial which will be held Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 100 Lynam Road, Sumter.