Hundreds of family and friends said goodbye to Forsyth County Commissioner Eddie Taylor during funeral services held at Mountain Lake Church on Sunday.

According to Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman, between 350 and 400 people were in attendance and watched as The U.S. Air Force rendered final honors to Mr. Taylor.

Edward Vernon Taylor, Jr., 61, of Cumming, served in the U.S. Air Force and was a commercial realtor. He served as the District 5 commissioner on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners from 2001 to 2004 and on the Board of Education in the mid-1990's. He was the past president of the American Cancer Society and a member of the Lanier Forsyth Rotary Club. He was also a member of the North Georgia Mountain Riders. At least 150 riders led Sunday's funeral procession.

On Dec. 14, Taylor was found dead inside his vehicle in the parking lot of the Ridge Restaurant located off Turner Road. His death was ruled a suicide by the state medical examiner's office from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Forsyth County Deputy Coroner Ted Scarbrough.

Taylor is survived by his mother and daughters, Kendra L. Taylor and Seneca R. Taylor, brother, Dwight L. Taylor, nephew, Landon D. Taylor, son-in-law, Kevin Rich, daughter-in-law, Debbie Taylor and partner, Dayla Jo Peter.