Ava Gray Turnage Taylor

Ava Gray Turnage Taylor, age 104, widow of Dalton Troy Taylor, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2026 at Hospice of Laurens County.

She was born on January 15, 1922 in Greene County, North Carolina and was the daughter of the late Reetho Gold Turnage and Viola Lindley Barrow Turnage.

After graduating high school, Ava moved to Newport News, VA to get a job at the shipyard where she met the love of her life for 58 years. They moved to Colonial Heights, VA and attended Colonial Heights Baptist Church. Ava worked at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Daycare cooking many meals for little children. In 1983 they moved to Mountville, SC and she faithfully attended First Baptist Church of Clinton where she was the oldest living member.

Ava is survived by her son; Dale T. Taylor (Debra) of Mountville; her daughters, Judy D. Taylor, of Nashville, TN and Linda T. Rocksund (Russ) of Mountville; her six grandchildren, Caitlin Weeks (Nabil), Tristan Solies, Karsten Solies, Gray Taylor Morgan (Seth), Travis Taylor (Cheri), Amanda Whittamore (Scott); her sister, Flora T. Gilliam of Zebulon, NC, her great-grandchildren, Claire Morgan Reed, Noah Boumrar, Hamilton Morgan, Collier Morgan, Marbury Morgan, Lainey Taylor, Preston Taylor, Evan Taylor, Bryson Whittamore, Parker Whittamore and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ava is preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas M. Turnage, Arlendo Edwin Turnage; her sisters, Helen T. Beaman, Velma T. Ferber, Ida T. Oakes.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Clinton. The family with greet friends from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM prior to the service in the sanctuary. Burial will follow at Mountville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Ava with memorials to First Baptist Church of Clinton, P O Box 95, Clinton, SC 29325 or Cornerstone Baptist Church 1797 Highway 72, Clinton SC 29325 or Mountville Baptist Church, P O 484, Mountville, SC 29370.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.grayfuneralhome.com

Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is assisting the Taylor family with services.