March 15, 1942 ~ May 7, 2026 (age 84)
Sam Taylor Sr.
Sam’s hands told the story of his life. Strong, hardworking hands that planted gardens full of peppers and tomatoes, carefully making his famous hot sauce recipe. In his younger years, racing cars and living life fully. Famous with his family and friends for his homemade stew and gathering together with laughter and love.
Above all, his hands held the people he loved most. Gayla, the love of his life, his 6 children Debby Williams and her husband Cooter, Sam Taylor Jr and his wife Martha, Michael Taylor and his wife Jamie, Scotty Prestridge and Jenny, James Prestridge and his wife Raven, Jonathan Taylor and his wife Jennifer. He was a proud grandfather to 15 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Brother to William Taylor and Sandra Sawyer. Best friend to Darrell Hale.
Much like the song “Daddy’s Hands,” his hands were gentle when love was needed, strong when life became hard, and always there for his family. His legacy will live on in the memories he created the meals he shared, and the love he gave.
Funeral services for Sam will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at 2:30 PM (EDT) at the Johnson Brown-Service Chapel in Valley, Alabama. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Sam’s family will receive friends Monday evening at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley from 6:00 until 8:00 PM (EDT).
Please visit Sam’s Memorial Tribute Page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for his family, to share a memory of Sam, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.
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