DEXTER, Mo. -- Alfred Taylor, 97, of Dexter died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001, at Dexter Memorial Hospital.

He was born Nov. 18, 1903, in White Oak, Ark., son of Benjamin and Lillian Taylor. He and Bessie May Whittenling were married Dec. 14, 1929, in New Madrid, Mo. She died July 25, 1990.

Taylor lived in the Dexter area all his life, and was a retired farmer. He was a member of the Pentecostal Church of God.

Survivors include four sons, Doyle, Jim, Douglas and Jerry Taylor, all of St. Louis; eight daughters, Marylane Burton, Pauline Swaringim, Rosemary Vaughn, Barbara McFarlen, Peggy Teel and Lois Alexander, all of Dexter, Betty Rutherford and Brenda Taylor of St. Louis; 32 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter from 5-8 p.m. Friday.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kenneth Biggs officiating. Burial will be in Bernie Cemetery at Bernie, Mo.