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
Safety is a priority throughout holidays; use fire alarms and have a safety plan
Main, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 26, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — As temperatures drop and the use of heaters, ovens and space heaters increases, members of the Russellville Fire Department are urging ...
Farm Day at the stockyard: Up-close look at agriculture
Main, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 26, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — More than 250 third graders from schools across Franklin County learned about livestock, natural resources and food production during t...
RCS retirees reminisce, show gratitude
Lifestyles
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 26, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Retirees for the city schools system were honored Nov. 14 at Russellville Middle School for their years of service. Former RMS principa...
Judith “Judi” Ann Ayers
Obituaries
November 26, 2025
Nov. 16, 2025 Judith “Judi” Ann Ayers, 80, of Russellville passed away Nov. 16 at Burns Nursing Home. Judi was always a hard worker, a great cook and ...
Ruby Lee Streetman Britton
Obituaries
November 26, 2025
Nov. 23, 2025 Ruby Lee Streetman Britton, 92, of Belgreen passed away Nov. 23. Visitation took place Nov. 25 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Spry Memorial Ch...
‘Every Light a Prayer for Peace’ returns Dec. 4
Opinion
HERE AND NOW
Susie Hovater Malone Columnist 
November 26, 2025
As a member of the Russellville Cultura Garden Club, every year I look forward to our local “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” ceremony on the courthous...
Without newspapers, transparency declines
Columnists, Opinion
November 26, 2025
Two recent studies looked at the process of submitting public records and FOIA requests, including how news deserts correlate to poor compliance. Davi...
Copeland scores 26 in Golden Tigers win
High School Sports, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Russellville Golden Tigers, ...
Bart Moss For the FCT 
November 26, 2025
Ella Copeland scored 26 points to help Russellville run away from Phil Campbell 56-30 on Nov. 17. The Golden Tigers put the game away early, outscorin...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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