Mr. Lucious Daniel “Don” Taylor, age 91, of Hazlehurst, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, following a brief illness.
Don, as he was known to friends, family, and business associates, was born April 20, 1936, in Atkinson County, to the late Daniel Taylor and the late Willie Mae Cowart Taylor. He proudly served our country in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he returned to South Georgia and became a highly skilled and sought after painter for 34 years prior to his retirement. He loved flowers, gardening, and working with his fruit trees. He has a special fondness for hummingbirds and would often be upset if he saw one of “his hummingbirds” going into other yards. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid Coffee High School Trojan Football fan. He was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, Georgia. Along with his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice Courson Taylor; a son, Jerome Harrell; and two brothers: C. L. Cowart and Lester Taylor.
Don leaves behind three children: Sabrina Kinnard of Millwood, Georgia, Delita Padilla of Millwood, Georgia, and Donna Gainer (George) of Hazlehurst, Georgia; six grandchildren: Marshall Gainer of Hazlehurst, Georgia, Ashleigh Gillis (Logan) of Axson, Georgia, Alli Bramblett (Trevor) of Opelika, Alabama, Ken West III (Rose) of Millwood, Georgia, Taylor Spivey of Douglas, Georgia, and Kaylin Padilla of Charleston, South Carolina; eight great-grandchildren; five sisters: Shirely Kirkland of Valdosta, Georgia, Barbara Cowart of Decatur, Georgia, Kathy Parr of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Dottie DeGregorio of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Pat Huffman (Jim) of Leesville, South Carolina; along with a number of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A funeral will be held to honor Don’s life on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brad Waters officiating. Interment will follow in Satilla Memorial Gardens. His family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 PM for one hour prior to the service.
Active pallbearers will include Ken West III, Robby West, Marshall Gainer, Taylor Spivey, Logan Gillis, and Trevor Bramblett. Honorary pallbearers will include Don’s Sunday School Class.
Condolences, kind words and fond memories may be shared with Don’s family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com.
Don’s arrangements have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc. of Douglas, Georgia.