Cary Cornell Taylor

Cary Cornell Taylor, Sr, 58, died Sunday afternoon, February 25, 2007, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

He was born June 4, 1948, in Knoxville; but spent most of his life in Kingsport. Cary graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School and from Mars Hill College. He received his J. D. from Memphis State School of Law and had been a practicing attorney and trial lawyer for 32 years. He was a well-respected member of the local Bar Association and was admired by his very loyal clients, many of whom became friends. Cary was also a member of the Tennessee Bar, the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the Federal CJA Panel. For several years he was Juvenile Judge of Kingsport.

The joy and love of his life was his family ? his wife of 36 ½ years, Paula; sons, Cornell and wife, Mindi of Charleston, West Virginia, Whitney and wife, Allona, and their children, Marcus, 5, and London 14 ½ months, Kingsport.

Nothing brought him more pleasure or pride than his boys, his wife, his ?daughters?, and his grandkids. He told that to anyone who would listen ? over and over.

A friend to everyone, he loved people and cared deeply about all aspects of their lives. He said what he felt, leaving no question as to where he stood. But he believed deeply that everyone in America had a right to their opinion. He worked diligently to protect the rights of each person, knowing that with that we all could have more protection and freedom. Because of his concern for others, he was a tissue organ donor.

Cary?s other passion was golf. He was captain of the golf team at Mars Hill College. Recently he had a very rare Double Eagle on Hole #6 at Ridgefields Country Club. He had also recently eagled Hole Numbers 6 and 16. He was on Hole #16 when he collapsed on Sunday. Playing golf with his boys or his friends brought him enormous pleasure.

Cary was preceded in death by his father, C. M. Taylor, on October 31, 2006; grandparents, Henry and Louanna Taylor; and grandparents, Lester, and very special ?Mama Wilds?, Lucille.

Left to cherish his loving memories are wife, Paula, sons, Cornell and Whitney, ?daughters?, Mindi and Allona; grandchildren, Marcus and London; mother, Kathryn Wilds Taylor; brothers, Stewart Taylor and wife, Sheila, Mark Taylor and wife, Tabitha; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Willis and Betty Maley of North Carolina; very special aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, whom he loved and cared about deeply; and special employee ?family?, Stephanie Wagner, Lynetta Trivett, and Linda Danko.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Services will follow at 8:00 p.m. at the church with Dr. Marvin Cameron and Dr. Ron Davis officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Family members and friends will meet at the cemetery.

Pallbearers will be sons ? Cornell and Whitney, Billy Quillen, John Smith, Larry Boyd, and Richard Ireson. Honorary pallbearers will be his golf buddies and fellow members of the Bar.

Donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 985, Kingsport, TN 37662; St. Jude Children?s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; First Baptist Church Building Fund or Celebrate Recovery, 200 West Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660; or a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to say a very special thank you to Dr. Richard Feit, Dr. Jose Velasco, Richard Ireson, and the Kingsport Lifesaving Crew for their heroic efforts and never giving up in their efforts to save Cary. Words can never express our gratitude.