Johnny Lane Taylor

Johnny Lane Taylor, 73, of Lillington, North Carolina, passed away at his home on October 8, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife, devoted brother and sister, and his children.

Johnny Lane was born to Ben Taylor and Maggie Taylor Wood on July 10, 1950, in Sanford, North Carolina.  He was a talented football player in high school, a proud member of the Boone Trail High School graduating class of 1968, and a devoted family man in the years that followed.  Later, when his own children showed an interest in sports, Johnny Lane was quick to offer to coach soccer, basketball, and baseball teams for the local recreation league.  He loved his decades-long career working at Coca-Cola in Sanford and made lifelong friends along the way.  Johnny Lane is widely known for his brave battles against multiple myeloma after his initial diagnosis in 2001.  He was gracious and strong in his faith in Jesus at all times, but especially during his illness.  To know Johnny Lane is to know he loved his Lord and Savior.

Johnny Lane is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patsy, who embodied the vows “to love and cherish in sickness and in health,” and three children, Jason (Virginia), Amanda, and Josh (Nikki).  He is also survived by his sister, Shelby Coleman (Clifford) and brother, Darnell Taylor (Roetta), along with his granddaughters Layne and Paige Taylor.  In addition to his parents, Johnny Lane was preceded in death by his sister, Bettie Mae Patterson Lineberry.  Family was very important to Johnny Lane; he had a deep love for his wife, his siblings, his children, and his granddaughters.

He loved watching westerns and wrestling, camping vacations, spending time with family, rocking on the porch, the UNC Tarheels, Coca-Cola products, and his morning coffee.  He was a committed member of Antioch Baptist Church and served as a deacon, on the Baptist Men committee, and an assistant teacher in the Keith Thomas Sunday School class.  Johnny Lane served his community as a member of the Boone Trail Fire Department Board and on the Boone Trail Ruritan Club.

Johnny Lane could be described as a patient, kind, caring, faithful, loyal, and loving man.  Most of all, he was a Christian.  His faith in God was admirable and a foundation of who Johnny Lane was and the life he lived.  In May 2019, Johnny Lane was deathly ill in Duke Raleigh Hospital.  After he was discharged, he proudly shared his story of a spiritual experience during that time where he approached heaven’s gate and “the Lord said it wasn’t time.”  Johnny Lane’s family and friends were blessed to have him for four additional years.

Johnny Lane’s family will receive friends Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 1pm – 2:45pm at Antioch Baptist Church and at other times at his home.   The funeral service will follow at 3pm in the Antioch Baptist Church sanctuary with Reverends Richard Beacham and Scott Yow officiating.  His burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Antioch Baptist Church, Post Office Box 525, Mamers, North Carolina, 27552.

Arrangements by O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home & Crematory, Lillington. Online condolences at http://www.oppfh.com.

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