LOUISBURG - Richard Barbee Taylor Sr., 87, died at his home on Thursday, July 23, 2009. A memorial service to celebrate his life was conducted Monday, July 27, at First Presbyterian Church, Hargett St., Raleigh.

He was born in Wilson to the late William Jesse Taylor and Dorothy Pillars Taylor. He served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945, then attended N.C. State College, completing a BS in floriculture in 1949. The following year he founded Taylor’s Nursery in Raleigh and was active in the company until his death.

Surviving: wife, Ethel; son, Richard Jr. (Marian); daughters, Ann Gonski (Rod), Frances Moore (David) and Lyn Gregory (Mike); sister, Dorothy T. Cutler of Raleigh; and six grandchildren.

The family has requested that flowers be omitted and memorial contributions be made to Meals on Wheels of Wake County, Inc., 101 Blair Drive, P. O. Box 37639. Raleigh, NC 27627 or to the J.C. Raulston Aboretum, Campus Box 7522, Raleigh, NC 27695-7522.

Arrangements by L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory, Knightdale.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.