Extracted from The Butler Herald (Butler, GA)
Thursday, May 19, 1955

Mr. J. F. Taunton Is Found Dead Monday Night

Funeral Services at Mt. Pisgah Church Wednesday Morning At 11 o'Clock.

Loved ones and friends of Mr. John Franklin Taunton were deeply grieved by his unexpected death at an undetermined hour Monday night.

With his two pet dogs following his footsteps Mr. Taunton left his residence Monday afternoon for the purpose of fishing in Horse Creek some distance away. Not having returned home at a late hour of the night his wife became alarmed and rang the farm bell on the premises, which was responded to by their neighbor Mr. Durwood Gaultney. Advised of the situation, Mr. Gaultney began immediate search for the missing man. While on the search, Mr. Taunton's body was found between the creek and his home, lying on his back with his fishing rods and faithful dogs resting beside him. Dr. Lewis Beason and Coroner J. D. Cook were summoned each of whom upon careful examination pronounced that death was caused by a heart ailment, he having been in declining health for some time for which cause he had retired from farming during recent years.

Mr. Taunton who was born April 1, 1886 the son of the late Mr. W. R. Taunton and the late Mrs. Pollie Amerson Taunton, was a life long resident of this county. During his active years he was a successful farmer of his community located about five miles southeast of town. He was a consistent member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist church, where funeral, conducted by his former pastor, Rev. J. H. Stanford, was conducted yesterday at 11 a.m. with interment in the cemetery nearby. Edwards Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Besides his devoted wife, who before their marriage was Miss Rena Rosebud Bryan, Mr. Taunton was survived by two sons, Ray and Winston Taunton of Cordele; three daughters, Mrs. H. S. Hobbs of Cordele; Mrs. J. C. Hankerson, Atlanta; Mrs. C. C. Smith of Savannah: One sister, Mrs. H. S. Harris of Butler; two brothers, Messrs Gus and Dock Taunton of this county.