Dr. Trice Taylor

Dr. Trice Taylor was born in Paragould on Aug. 28, 1930, and passed away at his home on March 25, 2023. He was the son of Earl Taylor and Cecil Gardner Taylor who descended from the prominent Trice and Gardner families who dated back to the 1600s in Virginia.

He moved to Jonesboro when he was five years old, graduating from Jonesboro High School in 1948. While a student at JHS, he served as editor of the yearbook and vice president of his class. He was the state debate champion, along with his long-time friend Carl Heringer.

He attended Harding University for two years where he was a member of the TNT Social Club before transferring to the University of Arkansas where he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1952. For two years he served in the United States Army at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith.

In 1958 he graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. He established a private practice in Charlottesville, Vir. While in Charlottesville, he was a member of the Virginia and American Dental Associations. Dr. Taylor was a charter member of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Oratorio Society. He was active in the English Speaking Union and the Sons of the American Revolution, serving as state president of the Virginia chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, he was also an active member of the Rugby Avenue Church of Christ.

Dr. Taylor earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health Dentistry at Columbia University in New York City. He moved back to Jonesboro in 2016 when he became a member a Southwest Church of Christ, the Crowley’s Ridge Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Craighead County Historical Society and the Greene County Historical Society.

His favorite pastimes in his retirement were studying genealogy and history, gardening, and cooking. He especially enjoyed his Sunday school class and working in the food pantry at his church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Marilee Taylor Pruitt; one nephew, Barry Pruitt; and one niece, Rhonda Pruitt.

Dr. Taylor is survived by two nieces, Barbara (Mrs. Ray) Hall and Billie (Mrs. Barry) Pruitt. Great nieces and great nephews include Michael Pruitt (Shannan), Casey (Mrs. Rob) Higgins, Matt Pruitt (Danette), Taylor Pruitt (Paula), Dr. Heather (Eric) Coleman, Dr. Holly Hall, and Colin Hall. He also has two great-grand nephews and eight great-grand nieces. Several cousins were very special to him.

The graveside funeral service will be at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 30, with Dr. Jimmy Adcox officiating and Adam Brewer assisting. Emerson’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Members of the Crowley’s Ridge Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will serve as color guards.

For lasting memorials, please consider Crowley’s Ridge College, 100 College Drive, Paragould, AR, 72450. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.