Earsel Ray Taylor
1950—2026

Earsel Ray Taylor, 75, of Martin County, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Pikeville Medical Center.

Born Sept. 18, 1950, in Williamson, West Virginia, he was the son of the late brother Ray Taylor and Mildred (McCoy) Taylor.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Betty Jean (Caudill) Taylor, a daughter, Shelia Taylor and a sister, Kathy (Taylor) Robinson.

Earsel Ray was a former coal miner and contractor/carpenter. He was a minister for over 40 years, during which he served as pastor of the Maher Freewill Baptist Church and the West Williamson Freewill Baptist Church, where he was currently a member.

Survivors include his children, Timmy (Jessica) Taylor, Johonna (Adam) Stepp, and Dennis Taylor, all of Martin County; brother John (Judy) Taylor of Martin County; sister, Connie (Paul) Stacy of Crum, West Virginia; grandchildren, Stephanie Marcum, Jacob Hanny, Jonathan Stepp, Addison Stepp, Logan Dotson, Blaine Taylor, Chloe Dotson, Shawn Diamond, Ethan Diamond and Jordan Akers; and great-grandchildren, Arvie, Kynlee, Beau, Kobe, Madlynn, Lillian, Carrie, Timothy Ray and two on the way. Also surviving are a host of nieces, nephews, other family, his large church family, and friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 12 p.m. at the Hatfield Funeral Chapel with Bro. John Mark Wellman and Bro. Mike Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount View Memory Gardens in Maher, West Virginia, with his grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with services at 8 p.m.

Online condolences may be left for the family at hatfieldsfc.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Hatfield Funeral Chapel of Toler.