Vivian Jane Willis Taylor

Vivian Jane Willis Taylor, 86, of Statesville, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at her home.

Vivian was born on January 2, 1940, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to the late John Troy Willis and Bertha Cook Willis. She cherished time spent with her family and was especially devoted to her grandchildren, always taking an active role in their lives. She found joy in feeding and watching her birds, sitting on the back porch, looking at the lake, and helping her husband with wood working crafts.

In addition to her parents, Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Taylor; a daughter, Debra Beckham; sister, Beatrice Nicewarner; and brother, Louis Willis.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Beth Fox (Jeff) and Kim Jolly (Terry); sons, Ernie Taylor and Andy Taylor (Lisa Kerley); grandchildren, Joshua Beckham, Adam Christopher (Jessica), Kaylan Woodyard (Brian), Cody Christopher (Kathy) and Katy Chapman (Ethan); great-grandchildren, Ashton Sherrod, Brock Artavia and Eli, Leo, Miles and Lance Christopher; sister, Evelyn Dehart; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 10 at South River Baptist Church with Dr. Chris Thompson and Pastor Travis Triplett officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the South River Baptist Church Mission Fund or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements for Vivian are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.