Dr. Taylor Rayburn, Jr.

View Funeral Webcast

Dr. Taylor Rayburn, Jr., 92, passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2026, surrounded by his loving daughters.

Born on June 15, 1933, in Columbia, Tennessee, Dr. Rayburn was the son of the late Judge Taylor Rayburn, Sr. and Louise Maddux Rayburn. A proud lifelong resident of Maury County, he grew up in the Riverside community and always cherished his roots, including being a proud member of the “Riverside Rats.” His family was among the founding members of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Columbia, Tennessee.

Dr. Rayburn attended local public schools, where he distinguished himself both academically and athletically. At Columbia Central High School, he earned an extraordinary nine letters in football, basketball, and baseball. His love of sports continued throughout his life. He played collegiate tennis at Middle Tennessee State University and was a longtime Maury County tennis champion in both his youth and adulthood. An avid golfer, he partnered with his father to win the Graymere Invitational Golf Tournament in 1972 and, in later years, enjoyed competing in the Mid-State Senior Golf Tour.

He attended Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University from 1951 to 1953, where his peers elected him to represent his class as Congressman in the Student Government Association. After completing two years of pre-medical studies, he was accepted into the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. After graduation in 1958, he went on to intern at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville before beginning his medical career.

Dr. Rayburn first practiced family medicine in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, for nine years before pursuing his passion for dermatology by completing a dermatology residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Serving as Chief Resident from 1970 to 1971, he demonstrated the leadership and clinical excellence that would define his career. Upon returning home, he became the first dermatologist to serve Maury County, a pioneering role that allowed generations of patients to receive specialized care close to home.

Medicine was more than a profession to Dr. Rayburn; it was a calling. He cared deeply for his patients and found great joy in serving his community, continuing to practice until his retirement in 2024. For forty years, he shared the privilege of practicing alongside his daughter, Cindy Rayburn, who served faithfully as his nurse until their retirement together.

A visionary leader in local healthcare, Dr. Rayburn joined approximately a dozen physicians in 1960 to help shape the early development of Maury County Hospital what is now known as Maury Regional Hospital. His commitment to the institution never wavered. He remained on the active attending staff for an extraordinary 65 years, longer than any physician in the hospital’s history.

Respected by colleagues across the state, Dr. Rayburn served two consecutive terms as President of the Nashville Dermatology Society, representing dermatologists throughout Middle Tennessee. In 1996, he was honored by his peers as one of the top dermatologists in Tennessee and was continually recognized in Best Doctors in America, reflecting decades of excellence, integrity, and compassionate care.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Rayburn lived a joyful and well-rounded life. He and his beloved wife, Connie, shared a passion for square dancing and proudly served three terms as Presidents of the Wagon Wheelers Square Dance Club, where they formed cherished lifelong friendships. Together they also enjoyed round dancing, achieving Level Five which was a testament to their enthusiasm and partnership both on and off the dance floor.

Dr. Rayburn is survived by his devoted daughters, Cindy Rayburn, Beverly Rayburn, and Dr. Jennifer Rayburn; his brother-in-law, Everett “Hosey” Holzapfel; and many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mrs. Connie Morrow Rayburn; his parents, Judge Taylor Rayburn, Sr. and Mrs. Louise Maddux Rayburn; his sister, Mrs. Mary Claire Rayburn Holzapfel; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William W. Rayburn and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph G. Maddux, all of Columbia; his treasured puppy, Laine Rose; and lifelong family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Neal Blair and Mr. Jimmy Cranford.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Cummins Couch, Dr. Walter Clair, Dr. Mark Wathen, Dr. Kevin Maquiling, Maury Regional Hospital, and the Retired Doctors Group of Maury County for their steadfast friendship, care, and support. The family is especially thankful to the Retired Doctors Group for the memorable retirement celebration honoring Dr. Rayburn’s remarkable career. Most importantly, the family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Rayburn’s patients, whose trust, loyalty, and friendship allowed him the profound privilege of practicing the profession he loved for so many decades. He often said that caring for his patients was one of the greatest honors of his life, and the relationships he formed with them were among his most treasured blessings.

Pallbearers will be Everett Holzapfel III, Ben Bolton (godson), Rick Bolton, Brooks Loomis, Trey Gibson, Zeke Maddux, Bobby Maddux, Neal Freeman Blair, and Scott Cranford.

Honorary pallbearers include Mr. Everett “Hosey” Holzapfel; Mr. Lewis Maddux; Mrs. Joyce Cranford and family; Mr. and Mrs. Todd Peterson and family; Family of Mr. Neal Freeman Blair; Dr. and Mrs. Jimmy Craig; former nurse Betty Rail; all of his nurses and office staff throughout the years; the Columbia Central High School Class of 1951; the University of Tennessee Medical School Class of 1958; the University of Tennessee Dermatology Residency Class of 1971; the Wagon Wheelers Square Dance Club; former Maury County Tennis Association players; Mid-State Senior Golf Tour members; fellow Riverside Rats; the Retired Doctors Group of Maury County; and the physicians of Maury Regional Hospital.

Dr. Rayburn’s life was defined by service, excellence, and unwavering dedication to his patients, his profession, and his community. Yet beyond his many accomplishments, the center of his world was always his family. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and the steady heart of a family whose bond was marked by deep affection, loyalty, and closeness. His greatest pride was not found in titles or honors, but in the time spent with those he loved most. His legacy will endure not only in the field of medicine but in the countless lives he touched with his skill, kindness, and steady presence, and in the strong, loving family he nurtured throughout his life. He will be deeply missed, forever cherished, and lovingly remembered.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Deacon Ray Seibold officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home.