Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
2:57 pm Monday, May 4, 2020

Sparkie Gene Taylor

Sparkie Gene Taylor, 83, of Russellville, passed away May 4 at North Alabama Medical Center.

Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. May 7 at Franklin Memory Gardens with Marlon Rutherford officiating.

The family would like to invite family and friends to come and stay in their vehicles, and as soon as the service is over, everyone will have a chance to circle through the cemetery driveway to pay their respects and to sign the register book.

Sparkie was born Sept. 9, 1936, in Russellville to Gilbert and Bennie Taylor.

He was a member of Shady Grove Church of Christ.

He worked at Reynolds Alloys Metal Company for 35 years and was also a member of the Aluminum Union.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Marvin Oneal Taylor, Gilbert Junior Taylor and Betty Elizabeth Taylor McCaig. He was also preceded in death by his special aunt, Gladys Hendrix.

Sparkie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Berline Hester Taylor; his children, Gerald Anderson Taylor (Anita), Wanda Taylor Collins (Jerry), Tyrus Gene Taylor (Bobbette) and Kathy Mishea Taylor Davis (special friend Marty Hargett); his siblings, Billy Ray Taylor, Tommie Farice Taylor and Joyce Annette Smith; his grandchildren, Tyler Collins (Courtney), Victoria Nolan (John), Anna Davis Butler (Kody), Maggie Davis, Gaven Taylor, Jessica Vincent and Melondie Murray (Jondon Stough); his great-grandchildren, Cash Taylor Collins, Taylor Brooke Nolan, Bralynn Hayes Vincent, Rayne Lawler Vincent, Ford Daniel Vincent, K.J. Murray, Amzie Stough, and Canaan Stough; and 22 nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Dale Taylor, Dennie Taylor, David Taylor, Doug McCaig, Joel Hester and Jeff Hester.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Encompass Home Health, Dr. Boorgu and staff and Dr. Felix Morris.

Akins Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Also on Franklin County Times
State rankings | Red Bay rises, hits first poll since 2020
High School Sports, Red Bay Tigers, Sports
By A. Stacy Long For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
Red Bay has pulled into the state rankings for the first time in five years. The Tigers are 10th in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association Clas...
Principals honored by city’s school board
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — The City Schools Board of Education recognized the system’s principals during its Oct. 21 meeting. Superintendent Dr. Tim Guinn describ...
Rickman: ‘I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore’
Main, News, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
TUSCUMBIA — When Carrie Rickman felt something unusual during a routine self-check in June 2018, she trusted her instincts. “I was just taking a showe...
Cultura Garden Club hosts district meeting
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
October 29, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club hosted the Garden Clubs of Alabama District 1 meeting at North Highlands Church of Christ. The theme of the meeting was “Roots...
Medicare Advantage helps preserve choice for seniors
Columnists, Opinion
October 29, 2025
In every corner of Alabama, one concern comes up repeatedly with family health care. Seniors worry about keeping it affordable. People with disabiliti...
Honoring his mother on Día de los Muertos
News, Russellville
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — When José Figueroa-Cifuentes lights a candle, he’s not just illuminating a wick — he’s keeping his mother’s legacy alive. A signature l...
Students respond to lure of competitive fishing
Belgreen Bulldogs, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Red Bay Tigers, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — A new countywide fishing team is giving more Franklin County students the chance to cast a line and compete. The Franklin County Angler...
UNA can’t figure out how to win on the road
Sports
David Glovach For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The setting was different — the town, the stadium, the opposing team. The scene facing North Alabama, however, was the same leavi...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *