November 13, 1948 – May 20, 2024
Rev. Charles Ridgeway Taylor, Sr., 75, of Bainbridge, passed away Monday, May 20, 2024.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a. m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Trinity Baptist Church with Rev. Brett Ellinburg officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Baptist Church Missions, PO Box 1525, Bainbridge, GA 39818.
Charles Ridgeway Taylor was born November 13, 1948, in Bainbridge, GA, the son of William “Bill” & Louise Brooks Taylor. He was a graduate of Bainbridge High School, and later earned a master’s degree and his Family Nurse Practitioner license. Charles served others as a way of life: in the United States Army, as a nurse (retiring as FNP at Warm Springs), as director of Decatur County Health Department, as a teacher at Calvary Christian School and nursing professor at Albany State University, as a licensed funeral director & embalmer, and most importantly as a Baptist minister for more than fifty years. He attended Trinity Baptist Church.
Knowing first hand the frailty of life, Charles made sure laughter was part of every day. He had an enormous sense of humor and loved a practical joke, especially if he was the jokester. His favorite outdoor activities included riding his motorcycle & enjoying the grandeur of creation, fishing, and golfing. Charles was an avid reader and journaled about his readings. Those who knew him best would credit him with being a lifelong student with a yearning to share ideas, wisdom, and his way of doing things.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Linda Sunday Taylor; his children, Chuck & Leigh Ann Taylor of Bainbridge and Carla Lynn Taylor of Climax; his grandchildren, Gage & Emily, Jonah & Lauren, and Jed & Karli; his great-grandchild, Sawyer; and his canine companion, Lady. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his brother, Randy Taylor.
Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)
What fine man Charles Taylor was he went above and beyond the call of duty when he was needed he stepped out of his comfort zone and married myself and Paul in 1993. He only did it because of who we were and he was a very fine customer he did not normally marry people outside of the church, but Paul would not stop until Charles agreed to marry us …….he will be missed greatly. My condolences to the family. Carol Dixon