James Carlin Taylor

James Carlin Taylor deceased on Wednesday evening, 18 September 2019, while a patient at the Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Virginia.He was born, son of Eva Taylor on 13 June 1938 in Smithfield, Virginia. Early in life as a child he attended and became a member of Hill Street Baptist Church.He was nurtured in the Sunday School and the first kindergarten.Carlin was baptized by Reverend Samuel R. Williams and was known to play in the baptismal before services began.Carlin and his friends were also known to sample the communion supplies during the week as the church was never locked. He attended the Isle of Wight Training School developing quite the reputation for challenging the disciplinary skills of his teachers.He enjoyed missing school, playing hooky, and pranks on his friends.He was the unofficial "assistant manager" at the Smithfield Movie Theater where he would let the boys in while distracting the real floor manager.Carlin also work many other part-time jobs as a teen and young man. Carlin became the organizer of the nationally known Neighborhood Watch Program.He watched everything that went on in the neighborhood, Church Street, Riverview, Jersey Park, and on Wharf Hill.He was also the first unofficial health inspector because he ate at everybody's house. Carlin and his best friend, Donald Ballard joined the United States Army, and after completing his tour of duty was honorably discharge.He coined two phrases: "God Made Moses", and "What Difference Does it Make?"He met and married Miss Gloria Brown and enjoyed more than 56 years of marriage together. Carlin was always a community minded individual and enjoyed business ventures.He is most widely known as the co-manager along with the late Lewis "Red" Harris of the Club LaRue where he perfected his culinary skills cooking the world famous, sand breaded fried chicken sandwiches.He was also a great supporter of all local sports and sports teams.He would sponsor trips to professional football games throughout the country. Carlin was a dedicated employee of Smithfield Packing Company where he worked in many departments.He later became the business manager of the Local Union, a position he held for 19 years.He became well respected for his negotiating skills. Carlin was a former member of the Smithfield Lodge, IBPOE of W and the Masonic Lodge.He served as Scoutmaster of the BSA Troop #60 of Smithfield where his troop won many honors in district competitions.He was owner/operator of Zeke's Downtown Seafood in Smithfield, famous for fried crabs and muskrats.His slogan, "The crabs you eat today slept last night in the Chesapeake Bay." Following a series of ventures, Carlin was employed with the Isle of Wight County School System.During his time at Smithfield High School the maintenance department won many honors for being the cleanest school in the county winning also the respect of teachers, students, and administrators.There were only three students in the entire school, Helen (all the girls), and (Herbert or Leroy) all the boys.He also became a chaperone for the Smithfield High School Marching Packer Band, accompanying them on trips to New Orleans, Philadelphia, Canada, and other local cities. Carlin was a former staff member of Tynes-Edwards Funeral Service and most recently staff member with Shivers Funeral Chapel. He was a faithful member of the Main Street Baptist Church serving with the Men's Fellowship as president for a term.He also served with the Board of Trustees, and promoter for the Men of Music.He volunteered as a van driver, food service worker, and maintenance support. Treasuring his memory and remaining are his wife, Glory Brown Taylor, his son, Gregory Taylor, his daughter, Rosslyn Taylor Hill, his grandchildren, Geoffry and Travis and his great-granddaughter, Ahnnyia.Also remaining to treasure his memory are his uncle, Edward Taylor, his cousins, Victor and Mizelle Taylor, his sisters-in-law, Wilma Brown and Concetta Stewart, nieces, nephews, and other cousins and many friends. A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 AM Tuesday September 24, 2019 at Main Street Baptist Church, 517 Main Street, Smithfield, VA. Viewing will be held Monday September 23, 2019 from 4- 7 PM with a wake service from 5-6:30 PM at Shivers Funeral Chapel. Professional services entrusted to Shivers Funeral Chapel.

Burial Date September 24, 2019

A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 AM Tuesday September 24, 2019 at Main Street Baptist Church, 517 Main Street, Smithfield, VA. Viewing will be held Monday September 23, 2019 from 4- 7 PM with a Wake Service from 5-6:30 PM at Shivers Funeral Chapel. Professional services entrusted to Shivers Funeral Chapel.