Mr. Charles Franklin Taylor, age 80, of Lincolnton, died on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at the Brian Center in Lincolnton.
His funeral will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, July 19, 2013 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. David Jones officiating. His body will lie in state for 30 minutes prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at Warlick Funeral Home.
Mr. Taylor was born December 26, 1932 in Lincoln County to the late Aca Whitaker and Mary Jane Lynch Taylor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Juanita Ledbetter, Margaret Garrett, Marie Warlick and Maxine Kincaid; and a son-in-law, Bryan Fleenor.
Charles grew up on the former Carter Mill Village in Lincolnton. As a child, he helped his mom at the Shack, where they sold snacks and sandwiches to the Carter Mill employees. Charles began working at a local motorcycle shop owned by Bob Jonas while a teenager, which initiated a love for riding motorcycles that lasted his lifetime.
He was employed as a long-distance truck driver for Akers Motor Lines in Charlotte for 25 years and then employed at Carolina Freight in Cherryville for 13 years as both a truck driver and a freight handler. He was a member of the Teamster Union. He was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church for 56 years, serving as a deacon, helping to establish the bus ministry, both maintaining and driving church vehicles, and was most recently active with the Seniors Sunshine Club.
Charles was a giving and loving man, and always used his mechanical skills to help his family, friends and neighbors. He was a blessing to all who knew him and will be forever missed.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years Angelene “Angie” Bradshaw Taylor of the home; one son, Carl Taylor and wife Rebecca of Lincolnton; one daughter, Charlene Lippard and husband Chuck of Sherrills Ford; three grandchildren, Wes Taylor of Richmond, Virginia, Kylie Crabtree and husband, Kevin of Lincolnton, and Cory Taylor of Lincolnton; three great-grandchildren, Khloe Taylor, and twins Carter and Karlie Crabtree, all of Lincolnton; a number of nieces and nephews and his faithful canine Bud.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of Lincoln County, 107 N. Cedar Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092..
The family would like to thank the staff of the Brian Center in Lincolnton and Hospice, organizations that showed love, compassion and support to both Charles and the family. Additional thanks to faithful friends and supporters, especially Richard and Eleanor Henley, Jerry Howell, Caroll and Hazel O’Sheal, Bob Jetton, Fred Morrison, Graham Sisk, Dean Webb and Phyllis Queen.
