Mary Ellen Cole Talley
August 24, 1926 ~ August 17, 2016
Resided in:
Mars Hill, NC
Mary Ellen Cole Talley, of Mars Hill Retirement Community in Mars Hill, died August 17, 2016 at 1:30 AM in Mission Hospital ICU after a short illness.
A native of Swain County, she had lived in Arden since 1959. She was a graduate of Swain High School in Bryson City and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She was a member of Arden First Baptist Church, a Life Member of the University of Iowa Alumni and a former member of the National Association of Accountants and the American Association of University Women. She retired from Stencel Aero Engineering Corporation in Arden.
She was the daughter of the late Perley and Ethel Owenby Cole and was also preceded in death by her two brothers, Cecil Wayne Cole and Donald Herbert Cole.
She was married to the late Ray Earl Talley for 60 years.
Surviving are her daughters, Donna Talley Gasperson and her husband, Bruce, of Ridgecrest and Linda Talley Boone and her husband, Jeff, of Mars Hill; one son, Steven Earl Talley and his wife, Lisa, of Clayton, NC; seven grandchildren, Paula Gasperson Marcum and her husband Dave, Ryan Gasperson and his wife Kristie, Melinda Gasperson Halford and her husband Eric, Laura and Brad Talley, Keith Boone and his wife Caroline and Amanda Boone Matthews and her husband Jonathan. Also surviving are two great-grandsons, Collin Andrew Irick and Caleb Joshua Boone and six great-granddaughters, Miriam Elizabeth Irick, Elizabeth Kay and Samantha Carol Marcum, Grace Emma Gasperson, Maliya Aeryn and Alexis McKenna Halford.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arden First Baptist Church, 3839 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden, NC 28704 or to the Christmas Fund at Mars Hill Retirement Community, 170 W. Main Street, Mars Hill, NC 28754, which will be distributed at Christmas time among those who cared so much for Mary over the past seven years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 20, 2016 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with Reverend Timothy Brown, Reverend G. Scott Lynch and Jack Ramsey officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00-11:00 AM on Saturday. Interment with Ray at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery will be held at a later date. There will be no graveside service.
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Dear Donna & Linda,
I have good memories of your sweet mom. She always had a smile on her face and always knew how to show her interest in what you were doing. I remember thinking she was the smartest ‘mom’ I knew. She, like my mom, was a strong lady and was blessed with many years of life to enjoy her growing family. But losing a mom is never easy. May God comfort you, Steve and all the spouses, children & grandchildren as you honor your mom in these coming days and spend time together with each other. I will remember you in prayer….wish I could come to speak but am nursing a broken ankle which is keeping me in right now. So please know my thoughts will be with you all. Love to each, Mary Ann
Linda & Donna, Mary & Ray were two of the finest people I ever knew and I will always remember them with fondness. My Dad used to say that if Ray Talley told you he’d do something, then you could take it to the bank!
To all of Mary’s Family. we have lost a precious lady but Heaven has gained an angel . She will be in no more pain & know she is with her Lord & Savior. Mary was a great Christian Lady and loved everyone.Such a joy to talk with. My family loved all of you. You were just like our family. Have known you for so many years. Love every minute of it. My prayers will be with you all during this sad time Love to all.
To each of the members of the Talley Family, I send my sincere condolences on the passing of your sweet Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Donna sorry to hear about your mother.May God bless you and your family and help you through these hard times.
My heart felt Prayers and condolences to Mrs. Talley’s family. I will miss sending her meals at Mars Hill Retirement. She was the sweetest, most loving lady. RIP Mrs. Talley.
My mom wanted to let you know how sorry she is to hear of your mother’s passing. She went to school with your mom in Swain County. and enjoyed hearing from her at reunions and letters she sent from time to time. She has told me often what a sweet and smart lady she was, and told stories about them in Swain growing up. Please know your family are in our prayers. and may God wrap his arms of comfort around you.
Steve,
My thoughts are with you and I am praying for you and your family during this time! Philippians 1:23
Dear Family; For years Mary Ellen and I corresponded and visited from time to time. She was a blessing to know since she was a link to the Cole side of my family. My daddy, Harley and Perley, were close brothers and so I grew up hearing alot about Perley. Naturally, I eventually met Mary Ellen and Ray. Such fine people! We exchanged Christmas cards and letters for many years and attended the wedding anniversary at the nursing home with her and Ray. It wasn’t but just a few days ago, I thought of Mary Ellen and thought ‘I must try to get in touch with her again.’ I am so sorry to hear she has passed away and I will miss her lovely letters. One of the last notes I received from her, she sent a pin – a copper toned care bear holding a heart to remind me she was thinking of me as I care for my elderly mother at home. Mary Ellen was truly a caring person and loved by many.
Mary’s Family,
We extend our sympathy to you in the home going of Mary. She was a precious Christian lady who enriched our lives by her friendship. We met her when we served as Interim Pastor and wife at Arden Frist Baptist Church. We rejoice with Mary that she is in the presence of our Lord. Hallelujah!
Dr. and Mrs. James Johnson
I remember Mary from Oak Park, she used to bake us cookies for Halloween and she was always a pleasant person to be around, loved going by her house and grabbing a fresh cookie. So sorry to hear of her passing. She was a great neighbor and friend to all who knew her.
Thinking of you in this time of sadness
Thinking of all of you with deep sympathy. Your mother and grandmother has been such a dear friend to my mother, Carolyn, and has encouraged me in so many ways over the years. How I love and appreciate Mrs. Talley! Just last Sunday, I fondly wore the pearl necklace she gave me for my high school graduation (36 years ago) and thought of her kindness as I do each time I wear it. Wishing each of you much comfort in our Lord Jesus. ‘For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.’ ~ 2 Corinthians 1:5
With Much Love,
So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers for you Donna.
My condolences to you, your family and love one’s. I will pray for you all. God will provide!
Thinking of you with deep Sympathy. You and Family are in our prayers.