Mr. Ernest Neal Taylor 97, of Arabia, died Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, his residence.
He was born April 30, 1911 the son of the late Curtis E. Taylor and Merle Neal Taylor.
Neal was a lifelong farmer and businessman in Lawrence County.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Helen Mountain Taylor.
He is survived by a son and daughter, Nancy and Bob Taylor, of Willow Wood and grandchildren, Jessica (Mark) Casey, Seth (girlfriend, Gretta Lunsford) Taylor and Gretchen (Eli) Roach. Also surviving are great grandchildren, Tanner, Kensley, Grayson, and Gavin Casey, Maycin and Abilgail Roach.
Neal was a lifetime resident of Lawrence County where he attended Waterloo Grade School, Aid High School, and Rio Grande College. He was the third generation farmer and polled Hereford cattle breeder on the family farm which his grandfather Cos Neal established in 1895.
Always involved in church and community organizations, Neal was a member of the Marion-Aid United Methodist Church where he served on various committees. He was a board member and past president of Buckeye Rural Electric and was instrumental in acquiring right-of-way for the first rural electric lines in Lawrence and Gallia counties. He was a 50-year member of the Waterloo Masonic Lodge. He served many years on the Lawrence County soil conservation board, Lawrence County fair board, and as director of the Citizens National Bank (now National City). He was a charter member of the Briggs Library board, served for 45 years as a member of the Holzer Hospital Board and was a board member of the Southeast Ohio Beef Cattle Association.
The family would like to thank Bob Crawford, hospice, and the staff of Cabell Huntington Hospital and to all those who kept us in your prayers during this difficult time.
Graveside funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Woodland Cemetery, Section 9, with Pastors Mike Chapman and Ken Gowin officiating. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening at the Tracy Brammer Funeral Home. Serving as pall bearers will be Seth Taylor, Eli Roach, Mark Casey, Tom Mountain, Rich Mountain, and Johnathan Adams. Honorary pall bearers will be Bob Estler, Ersel Sias, Bob Crawford, Glen Fairchild, Larry Crotty, and Roger McCaleb. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, Ky. 41101.