Lillian Dell Barr Talley

Lillian Dell Barr Talley, a devoted wife, daughter and aunt, was called home to be with our heavenly Lord on Saturday, June 2, 2012, after 87 years. She was born on a farm in Bastrop County near Smithville, Texas, February 13, 1925, to Clyde Barr and Lillian Rolsten Barr. She labored in fields of the family farm with her dad and harvested hand-picked cotton and corn, with a wagon and two mules. She graduated valedictorian at Smithville High School in 1942, worked at Camp Swift during the war, attended Durham’s Business College, and began her career as Tax Assessor Collector, City of Smithville from 1946-1957. From 1958 through 1991, she worked at the State of Texas Board of Insurance, performing various duties as Accountant in Staff Services Division, Supervising Tax Analyst and retired as Director III of Tax Administration. Commissioner Pogue stated she was the most competent person he knew in the tax field and that her historical and technical knowledge of matters related to tax was almost encyclopedic. Her joyful love of family, friends and every child in sight was a blessing and will be missed by all.

Lillian was preceded by her parents, husband of thirty-one years, Rondoll Raymond Talley, brother and wife, John and Laverne Barr, nephew, Dr. John Turner Barr, Jr., and brother-in-law, Otis T. Hilderbrand.

Lillian is survived by her sister, Grace Marie Barr Hilderbrand, of Wharton, Texas, nieces and nephews, Charles Richard Hilderbrand and wife, Karen Hilderbrand, Peggy Hilderbrand Nelson, Evelyn Barr Urbanek and husband, Brian Urbanek, Clyde Lee Barr and wife, Joyce Barr, Caroline Kelly (Dr. Barr’s wife), nine great nieces and nephews, three great-great nieces and nephew; and also survived by her extended family, Diana Talley Burrow and husband, Don Burrow, their children, Trever Burrow and Amy Burrow Leach, and their families.

An Austin resident for over fifty years, Lillian was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Austin Chapter 304 and a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church, where she taught children’s Bible school.

A word of thanks to her friends at Family Elder Care, West Oaks Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, and West Century Hospice for all the care, love and affection bestowed. In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, memorials may be made to Capital of Texas Chapter, Alzheimer’s Association, 3429 Executive Center Dr., Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78731 or a charity of your choice.

The funeral service will be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 8th of June 2012, at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in Cook Walden Capital Parks under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Thursday, from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday the 7th of June 2012, at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, Austin, Texas.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.