Deacon Lawrence N. Taylor, Sr., affectionately known as "LT"/"Smackn", of Petersburg, Virginia, departed this life after a brief sudden illness on Sunday, March 15, 2026. He was born on October 9, 1961, in Sussex County, Virginia to the late McKinley and Margaret Taylor. At an early age, Lawrence joined Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, Carson, Virginia and later he made his church home Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia, where he served as a deacon.

He attended Sussex Central High School, Class of 1980. LT was also a "Chef", he loved to cook for family and extended family. He had a saying,"You Got to Want It to Eat It." He also loved music. LT was a fashionista with his standout shoes, and his passion was cars and collecting them.

LT was employed at Brown & Root Construction (DuPont) with forty-six years of dedicated service. He had a deep love to work; he would call it "working my hours". LT thought he was a comedian-he enjoyed "TheTea", with his granddaughters, "Clock Ittt". He never met a stranger and everyone became family. He was generous with his time and he never said, NO-his word was solid and his bond. LT was also a member of Pocahontas Lodge #7, and Eastern Star Affiliation-Star of Hope #164.

Deacon Taylor was preceded in death by four brothers, Charles, Harold, Otha and Walter Taylor; and his two sisters, Gladys and Clementine "Kitty" Taylor.

Deacon Taylor leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Elaine "Cookie" Taylor; daughter, LaWanda Taylor; son, Lawrence N. Taylor, Jr. (Toshiqua); five granddaughters,Ta'Nijah, Ty'Nasia, Kimora, Ashiya and Ty'Keira Taylor; grandson, Jaden Saunders; grandchildren of the heart, Amara Taylor and Damori Barker.  LT is survived by three brothers and three sisters, Calvin Taylor (Yvonne) of Waverly, Virginia, Ryan Taylor (Francine) and Barry Taylor (DeHaviland) both of Ettrick, Virginia, Tiris Henley (Tyrone) of Richmond, Virginia, Sandra Taylor of Petersburg, Virginia and Gloria "Deane" Taylor of Ettrick, Virginia; uncle, Norman Brown (Della) of Petersburg, Virginia; sisters-in-law, Elder Gloria L. Taylor, Althea Gee and Stephanie Gee; devoted family members raised as his brothers, Golden Brown of Augusta, Georgia and Marcus Smith of Waverly, Virginia; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Special and devoted friends, John Prosise, Joyce Dobie, Michael Davis, Pam Acosta, Bessie Hendricks, Lanesha Johnson, Deacon Eddie Rose, Reverend Leroy D. Evans, Jr., Juan Tomei and Kendale Shaw. LT loved all his nieces and nephews, however he had a special place for Angel Basnight, Tishay Taylor and Sarita Cary. We can't forget his Ace, His Smackn and Baby Sister, Deane.

The Taylor family extends a special thank you to everyone that expressed love, prayers, calls and visits. A special thanks to the doctors and nurses of Virginia Cancer Institute and Gentiva Hospice.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1021 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Lamont A. Hobbs, Pastor, officiating, and Rev. Leroy D. Evans, Jr., eulogist. The interment to follow at the Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5810346?fl=so&fe=fs