ROCKY MOUNT - Louis "Jerome" Taylor, age 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Born in Wilson County, NC on January 24, 1929, he was the son of the late William Jordan Taylor, Sr. and Thelma Lewis Taylor. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Staley Taylor; his brothers, William Jordan Taylor, Jr. and James "Jimmy" Taylor; and his sisters, Hazel Moore and Virginia Perry.

Jerome played football at Charles L. Coon High School and earned the Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouts. He was awarded the purple heart by the US Army during the Korean conflict. Jerome then attended UNC Chapel Hill and finished his business degree at Atlantic Christian College in Wilson. He began his career at Peoples Bank in Rocky Mount and retired as Vice President and Senior Trust Officer. Jerome was also a member of the Rocky Mount Jaycees and Rotary Club and First United Methodist Church where he served as usher, class treasurer and member of the finance committee. His love of family was evident throughout his life.

Jerome, affectionately known as "Pops", is survived by his daughters, Roxanne Taylor and Vickie Taylor; his son, Louis Jerome "Jerry" Taylor, Jr. (Tammy); his granddaughters, Ashley Ammons (Ira), Melanie Craft and Stephanie Taylor (Josh); his grandsons, John Taylor (Niki) and Patrick Taylor (Brittany); his sister, Doreatha Taylor; his brother, Horace Ray Taylor; his 19 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Jerome's Life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. David Joyner officiating. Visitation with the family will follow the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jerome's memory to First United Methodist Church, 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.