Ernest Taylor Jr.

Ernest Taylor Jr., age 69, passed away Monday, March 23, 2026, at East Texas Hospice Homeplace in Tyler, Texas. Ernest was born July 9, 1956, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Anna Mae Williams Barnett and Willie Jones Sr. He worked in construction as a brick-layer throughout his life. He married his late wife, Cynthia J. Taylor, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ernest enjoyed New Orleans city living. He loved spending time with his family, listening to music, dancing like nobody was watching, laughing loud, and he loved life itself.

Ernest was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Rosa Lee Fox; grandmother, Anna Mae Sanders; father, Willie Jones Sr.; mother, Anna Mae Williams Barnett; and his wife, Cynthia Taylor.

He is survived by his daughter, Shaqita (Stacy) Allen; daughter, Tonica Clark; daughter, Chantel (Peter) Williams; daughter, Crystal Taylor; son, Ernest (DeElla) Roy; sister, Connie Williams; sister, Delzora Barnett; step-father, Bufford Barnett; 23 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends.

Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at The Luxury Hall Lake Forest, 9301 Lake Forest Blvd. Ste. 116, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70172, with Apostle Dale Hamilton of In HIS Image Christ International Ministries officiating. The Mistress of Ceremony will be Tracy Barnett. Honorary pallbearers will be: Phylandus Doughty, Stacy Allen, Larry Burton Jr., Malik Clark, Shaquil Burton, Ronald Doughty, Rondell Doughty, and Zerrick Pace.

Repass will follow at 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at The Luxury Hall Lake Forest.

Ernest will be remembered for his unexpected jokes, his outrageous laughter, his soft heart (when necessary), and his stern but humorous personality.