Biography

John R. Taylor, Sr. is a native of Chattanooga, TN and a graduate of Brainerd High School Class of 1980. After graduating from Brainerd, John attended Southwestern Christian College where he received both his associates and bachelors degrees while becoming one of the first graduates from Southwestern’s first four-year Bible program. After graduating from Southwestern, he attended John A. Gupton College in Nashville, TN, were he received a degree in Mortuary Science.  He has completed addition studies at Tennessee Temple Seminary School in Chattanooga, TN. John believes in lifelong learning, until Jesus calls us home.  

John has an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoys the business arena.  He is the founder and president of Taylor Funeral home of Chattanooga, Scales Funeral Home, Inc., and Renaissance Urban Development, LLC. Bro. Taylor has also served the Chattanooga community for eight years (1997–2005) as city councilman for District 7 and hopes to one day to return to public office.  He has served as a board member for many organizations including chair of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, board member for John A. Gupton College, Southwestern Christian College Alumni Association, STOP the Madness and Destiny Ensemble. John also serves as a member of other local, state, national and international funeral directors Associations.

God has blessed John with a wonderful family.  He is the son of late Bro. Carl L. Taylor, Sr and Sis. Mary Taylor.  Bro. Taylor has been married to Anita (Denkins) Taylor for nearly 33 years and has been blessed with two wonderful children: John (Tkeyah) Taylor, Jr. (30) and Andrew (Della) Taylor (26). He is blessed to have 5 wonderful grandchildren: Ava, Lauryn, Avery, Aaron, Alayna, and one on the way. 

On Feb 08, 1970, John obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and has been running for him ever since. John was blessed to be mentored under his father, at the Avondale church of Christ, were he assisted in preaching and in the education department before working with the East Third St. Church of Christ. John has been blessed to serve God’s most beautiful, talented and spiritual people at the East Third St. Church of Christ.  With God leading us, we will continue to work together for the kingdom of Christ. “Since serving at East Third Street Church of Christ, I truly have been blessed and have grown spiritually.  The saying is true, ‘that if we work together, that there is nothing that we cannot do, if we set our mind to it.’”