Merle Culpepper Taylor

Merle Culpepper Taylor, age 93, was lovingly welcomed into Gods heavenly choir on Sept. 30, 2017. Born on February 25, 1924 in Nash County, she was the eldest of eleven children of the late Harvey and Etta Hackney Culpepper and Mable Parker Culpepper. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by sons, Robert Powell and Larry Powell; brothers, Jackson, Harvey, Jr. and Vernon Culpepper; sister, Lula Thomas; husbands Harvey Taylor, Bill Anderson, and father of her children Alton Powell. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Etta Woodall (Buddy) of Charlotte and Gale Matthews (Ronnie) of Nashville; sons, Joe Powell (Brenda) and Ed Powell (Robin) of Rocky Mount. She was lovingly known as Granny to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Merle is also survived by sisters, Amie Hunt of Raleigh, Sheila Burnett of Spartanburg, SC and Jeanette Culpepper of Rocky Mount; brothers, Milton Culpepper (Lucy) of Rocky Mount, Billy Culpepper of Savannah, GA, and Dennis Culpepper (Brenda) of Rocky Mount; sister-in-law, Alva Culpepper of Raleigh and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, she is also survived by family members of Harvey Taylor and Bill Anderson; Linda Melton (Joe), Dianne Lewis (Henry), Sylvia Luper (Tim), Joan Taylor, Gwen Walters (Jerry), Aubrey Anderson; their children and grandchildren. Upon graduation from Benvenue High School, Merle began her work career at S.H. Kress followed by a one year invitation to identify fingerprints for the FBI in Washington, DC. Her long term bookkeeping career included Park View Hospital, Altons Auto Shop, Appliance Tire Center, Stoney Creek Knitting Mills, and 21 years of service with Goodyear Tire Center until her retirement in 1992. To Merle, her most important job was that of being a mother to her six children during her years as a housewife. Throughout her lifetime, Merle was known for her strong, independent, and giving spirit. Special times were enjoyed with her family and friends (Sunday dinners at Bojangles, JOY group luncheons, Myrtle Beach trip with siblings, and annual Thanksgiving reunions). Merle was always ready to help others as evidenced by her active volunteering at My Sisters House, The Crisis Ministry, The Pregnancy Center, the American Red Cross, Nash Day Hospital, and VFW Bingo. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary, and member of the Credit Women International, the Business Professional Womens Club, and the Luncheon Pilot Club. In addition, she shared her time with others by volunteering to read at Down East Radio Reading Services for the Blind. Merles church was very important in her life. A long time member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, she served as a Circle Leader, Secretary and President of the United Methodist Women, and a member of the JOY Club. Dear to her heart was the Church Choir in which she served for over forty years. Her hobbies included gardening, reading, and most importantly home cooking for her family get-togethers. Being the oldest of eleven children, Merle always had a motherly instinct to protect and care for her siblings. This trait carried forward in the lives of her children who were foremost in her life. The family wishes to thank Dr. David Browder and nurse Jennifer for their many years of attentive care, the staff at Spring Arbor, Dr. William Deans, Moms many caregivers, and Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash Health Care. In addition to flowers, memorials may be made to My Sisters House, PO Box 7665, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1217 Bethlehem Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27803 Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2017 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1217 Bethlehem Road in Rocky Mount, NC. A Homegoing Celebration service will begin at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home Cremation Services, 661 English Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com. Visitation Location Not Available Thursday 10/5, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Service Location Not Available Thursday 10/5, 2:00 pm