Betty White Talley

Betty Fay White Talley, 84, of Petersburg, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Born March 22, 1930 in Richmond, Va., she was the daughter of the late G. Melvin and Ethel Stirling White. Mrs. Talley graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1947 and Mary Baldwin College in 1951 with a BA Degree in Music and Education, and a minor in French. She worked for the Henrico Public Schools and Petersburg Public Schools as an elementary school teacher from September 1951 to June 1954. She then became a full time devoted wife and mother for her family. She was a charter member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church where she was active with the choir, the handbell choir, the United Methodist Women, and the Worship Committee. Additionally, she served as the Church Historian, and was also a member of the kitchen crew, Grandma’s Attic Sale, Parsonage Committee, Altar Guild, and the Administrative Council of the Church. Her life was always centered around her church and family. She also enjoyed her service as a TWIG at Southside Regional Medical Center and playing piano for Interfaith Adult Day Care. Mrs. Talley is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, William H. Talley III; her children, William H. Talley IV and wife Margaret, Lisa Talley McKinnon and husband Borden, Melvin White Talley, Kathryn Paul Talley and husband Donald Basl, Elizabeth Hurt Blankenship; a sister, Patsy White Herbert; sister-in-law, Peggy Talley Norman; grandsons, William H. Talley V and wife Amie-Anne, Andrew A. Talley, Arnold B. McKinnon III; granddaughters, Dr. Elizabeth Talley Pe and husband Freddie, Anna S. McKinnon; great-grandchildren, Savannah G. Talley, William H. Talley VI, Chappell V. Talley and Graycen B. Pe. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 16th at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Gretchen S. Nelson officiating. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery. Family visitation will be held at St. Mark’s in the fellowship hall following the interment. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Mark’s UMC or St. Mark’s UMW, 225 Claremont St., Petersburg, VA, 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .