Hugh Nelson Taylor Jr.

Hugh N. Taylor, Jr.

Gaffney, SC.

Hugh Nelson Taylor Jr., 73, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 18,

2025, at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Nelson was born on December 24, 1951, in Cowpens, South Carolina. He often joked that he missed

being a Christmas baby because his mom couldn’t hold out for a few more minutes. He grew up in the

Mayo community of Chesnee before spending most of his life in the Macedonia community of Cherokee

County. He married Sherry Horne Taylor in 1972, and they later welcomed a son, Joshua Taylor, in 1979.

The family added a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Taylor, in 2003 and then secured Nelson’s legacy in 2007

with the birth of his only grandchild, Gabriel Taylor.

A man of considerable stature, standing 6’-3”, Nelson was known to be a gentle giant who was loved

and respected by almost all who met and knew him. He was affectionately known to his family as Papa

Bear and served the moniker well, as he was imposing but protective and self-sacrificing for those he

loved. He did not meet strangers and could endear himself to almost anyone through his sense of

humor, generous tendencies, and playful ribbing. Although he would deny such a claim, most people

who knew Nelson believed him to be a pillar who would help anyone he could and worked to enrich his

community.

He was the son of the late Hugh Nelson Taylor Sr. and Frances Gardner Bennett. The middle child of

seven children, Nelson knew well the realities of living in a large family, like hand-me-down clothes and

making sure you got to the dinner table on time. He is survived by three sisters and brothers-in-law,

Margaret and Randy White of Fayetteville, NC; Virginia and Kenny Sellers of Cheraw, SC; and Patsy and

Gerald Medford of Chesnee, SC. Nelson also has one surviving brother and two sisters-in-law, Harold

and Regina Taylor of Cowpens, SC and Melissa Taylor of Chesnee, SC (Joe). He was preceded in death by

two brothers, Ricky Taylor and Joe Taylor, both of Chesnee, SC. Additionally, Nelson had numerous

nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews that he loved dearly.

Nelson’s professional career was split between Hoechst Celanese, Owens Corning, and Tide Water

Transit. He had a passion for firefighting and served in the Macedonia Volunteer Fire Department for

over 46 years, holding numerous leadership positions, including chief and commissioner. He valued

camaraderie with fellow firefighters and served his community with significant pride. Nelson was a

member of Macedonia Baptist Church.

A celebration of life service will Firefighter Honors will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Macedonia Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Duvall officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Family Members are at their respective homes.

Harris-Nadeau Mortuary

Chesnee, SC.