James Taylor passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. James was born on Friday, May 9, 1969 in Dexter, Missouri to James Edward Junior Johnson and Pear May Glee Taylor.

He worked odd labor jobs and was a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

His survivors include, his daughter, Alisha Ivy; sisters; Dorothy Dukes, Janett Hampton and Teresa Taylor; brothers, Kelvin Taylor, Johnny Taylor, Troy Taylor and Ernest Taylor; aunts, Hazel Johnson of Sikeston, Alice Comb and husband, Walter of Sikeston and Bell Clark and husband, Willie of Portageville; uncles Roosevelt Johnson and his wife Janett of Lilbourn and Robert Johnson and wife Anette of Malden; stepdaughters, Jessica Ivy and Freda Ivy; stepson, David Ivy; one granddaughter; special friend, Lisa Cody of Poplar Bluff a host of nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews and friend, Amy Sue Anderson.

He was preceded in death by parents, paternal grandfathers, Johnny Glee and Roosevelt Johnson; sister, Rose Johnson; brothers, Jerome Taylor and Charles Taylor; paternal grandmothers, Ida Clabourn and Lillie Mae Johnson, Aunt Sandra Kay Johnson and friend, Patricia Ivy.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Landess Funeral Home in Malden, Missouri at 1 P.M. with a repass to follow at the Malden Community Center.