January 9, 2026, 86, Calypso – Roy Lee Taylor, native of the Summerlin’s Crossroads area of Duplin County, and a long-time resident of Calypso, passed away early Friday morning, January 9, 2026, while receiving care at Wayne UNC Healthcare. He was 86.
Roy Lee was a retired volunteer with Oak Wolfe Fire Department, and he was a member of Bethel Church of Mount Olive. He retired from Smithfield Foods, where he was their purchasing agent. He, too, had served for 30 years with the North Carolina Army National Guard.
Roy Lee leaves behind his son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Jessica G. Taylor, of La Grange three grandchildren, Brynlee Taylor, Gabriel Taylor, and Ainsley Taylor; a brother, Elmer “Buddy” Taylor of the Summerln’s Crossroads area, Mount Olive; a sister and brother-in-law, Betty Faye and Jimmy Sauls of Bowdens; a sister-in-law, Annette P. Taylor, of Grantham; and several nieces and nephews to include Jeffrey Cooke and Marshall Cooke, who were very attentive to him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Jones Taylor; his parents, Roland and Estelle Rhodes Taylor; a brother, Joel Ray Taylor; sister-in-law, Faye S. Taylor; and Carolyn’s parents, Charlie and Suddie Jones, and all their children and spouses.
A private graveside service will be held. Mr. Taylor will lie in state for viewing at the funeral home on Monday, Jan. 12, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial gifts be made to Oak Wolfe Fire Department, c/o Jack Alphin, 519 Bethel Church Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365, or Bethel Church, c/o Mrs. Murray McClenny, 240 Jones-Turner Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365
