John Edward "Bear" Taylor of Petersburg, Virginia was born on October 14, 1948, to the union of the late McCauley and Lillie Taylor in Prince George, Virginia.

John accepted Christ at an early age. His formal education began at Prince George Public Schools and his professional ​employment accomplishment was a ​truck ​driver for Shoosmith Construction for 36 years.

John developed a lifelong love for playing the guitar. He also had a passion for car mechanics, landscaping, fishing, watching the train, and sharing family memories.

He was a member of several gospel groups such as Gateway Gospel Singers, the Gospel Inheritance and The Christianaires of Hopewell.

He was preceded in death by his son, Immanuel Taylor; brothers, Carol, McKelly, Edward, Clinton and Donald Taylor; and his sister, Diane Taylor.

John leaves precious memories to his devoted wife of 26 years, Darlene Delores Taylor; three children, Kodie Taylor (Shameka) of Dinwiddie, Virginia, Parrish and Damian Taylor both of Hopewell, Virginia; grandchildren, Kaneisha Taylor, Kodie Taylor, Jr., Nevaeh Taylor, Kalijah and ZayvéAir Owen; siblings, Ethel Granderson of Martinsville, Virginia, Mary Jones (Gary) of Prince George, Virginia, Martha Taylor and Theresa Noggin (John) both of Petersburg, Virginia; several devoted friends, William Ruffin, Lonnie "Buddy" Wright; Jimmy Newton, Howard Johnson, Buddy Miles, Howard Marshall, Curtis Hill and Joseph Williams; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; and his extended family from Maryland that was near and dear to him.

Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Calvary Temple Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 110 North Dunlop Street, Petersburg, VA, Pastor Wesley Taylor, Jr., Eulogist. The interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial 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/1203104007?fl=ip&fe=ec