Ethel Arnold Talley, 106, of Chula passed away Saturday, December 24, 2016. Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at First Baptist Church of Chula with the Rev. Dan Eidson officiating. Mrs. Talley will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 28, 2016, from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of the service at First Baptist Church of Chula.
Walt Sirmans, Matthew Sirmans, Shane Coley, Benjamin Coley, Lee Talley, Nicholas Ascani, Joe Hopkins and Stephen Rakestraw will serve as pallbearers.
Born January 22, 1910 in Irwin County, near Lax, Georgia, Mrs. Talley was the daughter of the late Charlie Linder Arnold and Susie Emma Harper Arnold. When she was two years old, the family moved to Tift County, where she resided the rest of her life. She married A. W. “Buster” Talley on June 23, 1929 and they were married for 62 years until his death in 1991. In 1938, she and Buster purchased a farm on the Chula-Whiddon Mill Road. Farming and love of the land was their way of life for over 50 years. She still maintained the home place and farm, where they lived for over 70 years.
Mrs. Talley was the oldest of five siblings, all who preceded her in death. They were Amos Tift Arnold, Elsie A. Copeland, Ruth A. Powers and Merle A. Johnston. She attended Tift County Schools and received her high school diploma in 1928 from South Georgia A and M School, which is now ABAC. She has been honored and recognized on many occasions as the oldest living alumni of ABAC. She had many fond memories of attending Annie Belle Clark, Harding and Chula schools and could recall many of her teachers and classmates.
Mrs. Talley was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chula for 88 years. She and Buster were a vital part of teaching and mentoring children and youth in the church and community, where she worked in PTA, the 5C Club, and the Home Demonstration Club and was helpful in establishing a lunchroom for the Chula School. Also, she was well known in the community for her southern hospitality, with wonderful meals shared with pastors and anyone who showed up for Sunday lunch, always room for one more at her table.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Sue T. and Kenny Sirmans, C. L. “Buddy” and Wilhelmina Talley and June T. and Earl Branch, all of Chula; six grandchildren and their spouses, Kim Talley of Chula, Walt and Diane Sirmans of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Leesa S. and Shane Coley of Statham, Suzanne B. and Joe Hopkins of Birmingham, Alabama, Lee and Jessica Talley of Chula and Beth B. and Stephen Rakestraw of Tifton, all who adored her tremendously.
Her fourteen great-grandchildren and their spouses are, Eve and Peter Guevara, Nicholas Ascani, Anna C. and Chris Oliver, Benjamin Coley, Matthew Sirmans, Sarah Beth, Betsy, David and Jonathan Rakestraw, Joseph and Vance Hopkins and Cole, Marlie and Staten Talley. She had four great-great grandchildren, James Guevara, Kate Louise Oliver, Lily Ruth Oliver and Talan Ascani. She was also survived by many nieces and nephews, who were faithful to visit her regularly.
For the past 11 years, she has made many new friends and acquaintances, while residing at Cypress Pond and Southern Care Assisted Living “Legacy Village”. The family is very grateful for the love and care shown to her by the staff and residents through the years. They are very appreciative of all the visits, cards, flowers and gifts from so many special friends in the community, which brought much joy to her life.
Her longevity allowed her to witness and discover so many changes in her lifetime, but one thing never changed: her faith and commitment to her Lord. The love she shared with her family and friends contributed to her long life.
Memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Chula, P. O. Box 58, Chula, GA 31733.