James Freeman Taylor was born in Russell County, Phenix City, Alabama many months of Sundays ago (March 21, 1917). Although he was born in Phenix City, he went to school across the river in Macon, Georgia.  His grandmother was also from Macon.  Having grown up in a house of females, his mother, sister, and aunt, he learned to be loving, caring, sensitive and compassionate for others.  He was also a romantic and would often write poetry.

James was a small lad and grew up to be a handsome, small-framed man. He met a pretty little freckled-face, redheaded girl named Sarah (Isabella) Elizabeth Finney at the Five and Dime Store, where she was employed.  She was not a manager but she basically ran the store.  She was from Macon, Georgia, born on March 12, 1914.  She was brought up in a Methodist church. 

One day James took courage in asking Sarah for a date and she obliged.  They became friends and began courting.  Sarah was an energetic, full of life, cheerful young lady, whom stole the heart of James the minute he laid eyes on her.  He was smitten for her, and had been bitten by the “love bug”.  All the ladies in the Five and Dime Store knew they would be married before they ever even made the announcement.  After many moons of courting, and one day James asked Sarah for her hand in marriage.  After playing “hard to get” Sarah accepted his hand in marriage.  James stated, “I got a million dollar baby at the nickel and dime store”.  God had special plans for James and Sarah.  Through the years, James and Sarah were blessed with four children: Sue, Sarah, Jimmy and Billy.

James was an apprentice for the newspaper.  He worked as a Linotype Operator.  He was very good in English.  He took pride and perfection in his work. Working for the newspaper was not all the Lord had planned for James.  The Lord called him to preach as He had great plans for him.  James put his entire life and eyes on the Lord.  Therefore, the Lord opened many doors of opportunity for him.  He was given the chance to go to a Bible college.  He attended Howard College (now called Samford University) in Birmingham, Alabama, where he learned to study God’s Word. [2. Tim. 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.]  James followed his chosen path and became a preacher. [Mark 16:15 “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”]  In 1950, James was ordained at Acipco Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.  He later became the Pastor of Green Springs Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.  Thereafter, he was called to Lancaster, South Carolina where he became the Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church.

One of James’ favorite stories took place while he was the Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lancaster, South Carolina.  As he was shaking hands with the congregation after services, a young boy walked up excitedly and said, “Brother Taylor, I really enjoyed your message today”.  James smiled and asked “What part did you enjoy the most?”  The little boy looked up and said, “It was short!” 

Through the years they lived in South Carolina and Alabama preaching in churches and living for Jesus.  James would go to prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes ministering God's Word and leading people to the Lord.

Through life's journey, James and Sarah faced hard times and by keeping their faith they shared a wonderful life together. They were a blessing to everyone they met.

James and Sarah's children grew up and blessed them with seven grandchildren (Ben, Susan, Nancy, Jan, Jennie Lynn, Jimmy, and Tammy) and ten great-grandchildren (Patrick, Rebecca, Christopher, Duncan, Courtney, David, Aubrey, James, Julianna, and Jack).

There was one grandchild who took a particular interest in the life of her grandparents.  She desired their full attention and admiration. She would strive to obey, listen and desire to make them proud.  She loved them more than life itself.  James and Sarah took a special interest in this little girl named Tammy Renee'.  They would take her to Sunday school and Church and were always introducing her to their friends.  They were proud as they said she was a little adult with great manners.  Tammy would be quiet as a mouse when listening to her grandparents' friends talk and yet, she would speak when spoken to as she was instructed to do so.  James and Sarah had a great influence on their granddaughter, Tammy.   Tammy enjoyed her visits with her grandparents and she took pride in memorizing scripture and poetry.  She would also enjoy memorizing poems and quoting them at each visit's end.  Tammy also would climb in her Grandpa James' chair with him and read the comics of old Beatle Bailey to her Paw. That is until one day they could not fit in the same chair as Tammy grew up.

James and Sarah relocated to Huntsville, Alabama to be near their son Jimmy and his family.  They attended University Baptist Church where Dr. Nunn, a former friend, was the Pastor.  From time to time James would serve as an Interim when the Pastor was away.  James and Sarah would also serve in the ministry for the elderly representing the University Baptist Church.

James and Sarah acknowledging the fact that they were getting older and it was harder for them to obtain medical attention, decided to move to Ruston, Louisiana where their oldest daughter Sue and her husband Ben resided.  Sue and Ben, both of the medical profession, had offered them a place to live and support from a medical community when and if necessary.  James and Sarah knew this would be in their best interest and would allow them to spend time with their oldest daughter Sue and her family.

After many years, and 55 years of marriage, the Lord called Sarah home on February 1, 1994. [Revelation 21: 4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”.]  Sarah was a Godly, well-loved Christian lady, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  Tammy missing her grandmother deeply, wrote a letter to James, her grandfather, telling him she needed him and asking him not to give up and they would still live happily together.

James and Tammy share a wonderful, close relationship.  James would travel to Huntsville, Alabama visiting Tammy, meeting her friends and would come to her softball games.  Her softball team, International Graphics, gave him a ball shirt with “Coach” written on the back and the number “82” as he was 82 years old at the time.  He is in the International Graphics team picture wearing his shirt.

On one particular visit, James went to Guntersville, Alabama with his son Billy, Shirley and Tammy to their houseboat.  James, horrified of water, hopped on the back of a Sea-Doo wearing dress slacks, a button down dress shirt, a life vest, dress socks and loafers and wrapped his arms around Tammy and yelled “go faster”.  No one could believe that one!  James was always a good sport with Tammy.     

James met friends and stayed involved in Church and continued living for Jesus. Over the years, James entered into an Assisted Living Facility. Now, he is in a nursing home facility suffering with Alzheimer’s.  However, on or about his first Sunday in the nursing home, he was asked to preach.  James told the facility that he would not be able to preach but maybe the "Lord can through me".  James prayed about it and (the man can pray like no man can) and he preached the gospel in the nursing home.  Many people came up to him afterwards and told him what a great sermon he preached and James humbly replied, "It was not me, it was the Lord, as I can't even remember".  James is a child of God and has had a life of many blessings, as he is 92 years of age today.  Remembering back to the passage of scripture of Ephesians 6:1-3 “(1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (2) Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; (3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”… WOW, James must have really obeyed his Momma!

Although James may be feeling tired and weary and may wish his race were run, for God is not finished with him as He is still preparing a place for him to one day be reunited with his beautiful bride.  John 14:2 & 3 “(2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you; (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

God can take the simplest of persons even the less fortunate, and of little education, and mold them to do great things. This simple little small town man has been a spiritual influence on my life, as well as many others.

Written by:  Tammy Renee' Taylor Cupps