Donald Ernest "Dee" Taylor, Jr.

Donald Ernest “Dee” Taylor, Jr., 52, former cook at Burger King and resident of Columbia, died Monday, November 7, 2022 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 3:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Reverend Tony Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Knob Creek Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to Knob Creek Cemetery, c/o Tim Fitzgerald, 1209 Hunters Point Lane, Spring Hill, TN 37174. Online condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born May 14, 1970 in Maury County, he was the son of the late Donald Ernest Taylor, Sr. and the late Patricia White Taylor. He was a 1988 graduate of Columbia Central High School. Dee was an avid football fan, especially the Tennessee Titans and the Tennessee Vols. He was a member of Knob Creek Baptist Church. Known for having a smile, Dee had a gentle soul and never met a stranger. Survivors include his sister, Ginger Taylor Dickens of Columbia; niece, Grace Earnest (Matt) Dunn; great nieces and nephews, Carter Dunn, Liza Dunn, Beau Dunn, Anna Dunn, Will Dunn; aunts Linda (Don) Riddle, Mary Webb; cousins, Pam Sowell (James) Gary, Joe Tom (Regina) Sowell, Vickie (Brian) Smith,, Donna Hall, Donnie (Carolyn) Riddle, Tammy Anderson, and Tim (Stacey) Webb. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Stan Dickens; grandparents, Ernest T. Taylor and Christine Godwin Taylor; Horace D. White and Hazel Shannon White; uncle, Joe Schiel Sowell; aunt, Wilma Taylor Sowell; and cousin, Christy Pence. Active pallbearers will be Matt Dunn, James Gary, Joe Spencer Gary, Ross Sowell, Donnie Riddle, Jr., Brian Smith, Jeremy Stocks, and Drew Stocks. Honorary pallbearers include Don Riddle, Sr., Bill Ammons, special friend, Rosemary Williams, Central High School Class of 1988, and former co-workers of Burger King. The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Ben Gardner, Physicians and staff of Maury Regional Critical Care Unit, and the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living.