Annie Eulah Talley

Annie Eulah Lawrence Talley, born August 5, 1928 in Cypress, Fl., passed away March 31th at 85 years of age at her home in Tallahassee. She grew up in Marianna, Fl. and married Herbert W. Talley Sr. of Marianna May 2, 1945. She was a military wife and later a real estate agent in Tallahassee when Herbert retired from the Air Force after serving 25 years. She and Herbert owned a real estate agency and developed many residential and commercial properties in Tallahassee and St. George Island. She is survived by her four children: Diane Howard Simpson (Clyde) of Monticello, Fl., H. Walter Talley Jr. (Pam) of Tallahassee, Fl., Debbie Brown Rodby of Murphy, N.C. and Marie Talley of Tallahassee, Fl. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, step grandchildren, and two sisters: Vada Meryl Byrd (Bob) of Panama City and Faye Barnette (Bobby) of Tallahassee.

During their 68 years of marriage, they were assigned to Air Force bases in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and Alaska. Ann learned firsthand how to prepare for and protect the children from natural disasters during those years. While Herbert flew airplanes out of harm’s way in Hurricane Donna, Annie spent the night watching over the children as southern Miami was devastated. They were also in the 2nd largest earthquake in history during the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake. Although Fairbanks wasn’t at the epicenter, they went to the areas where Herb had flown rescue missions and talked to the survivors. Ann protected the family during snow storms in Kansas, tornadoes in Arkansas and Oklahoma and dust storms in Texas. She taught the children about being prepared and strong while Herbert responded to the Air Force emergency calls. She kept the home fires burning, the bills paid, and the children healthy while Herb flew missions around the globe – sometimes for months at the time. After Herbert retired, he and Annie loved traveling together in his Cessna plane, the Red Baron, trips on their main ship trawler, the Talley Ho, and traveling the country in their motorhome.

Annie was steadfast in her faith and dedication to God, her husband, and her family. She knew most of the family history including the ancestors who were on the Mayflower, those who fought in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, both World Wars, and on up to modern day family trees. Her most prized treasures were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandchildren include Kimberly Howard Turpin (Raymond) of Waynesville, NC; Vicki Howard Caldwell (Tod) of Sterling, Va.; Christopher Howard (Lisa) of Macon, Ga.; Adam Talley (Noelle) of Clearwater, John David Talley of Clearwater; W. Rick Brown (Mary) of Tallahassee, Jason Brown (Heather) of St. Augustine and step grandchildren who spent part of their childhood visiting the Talleys: Marci Rodby of Jacksonville; and Micah Rodby of Norfolk, Va.

The great grandchildren include Julia and Ray Turpin; Samantha Murkerson (Michael), and Joseph Caldwell; Ann Elizabeth, Mary Wade, and Wren Howard; Luke Talley; Alex and Connor Brown; Alanna Bartolec, Graham Brown, Haydn Brown Bartolec, and Carson Brown.

A memorial service will be held at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home on 1737 Riggins Rd. in Tallahassee, Monday, April 14th at 11 am followed by a short reception at Culley’s and visitation at Marston Rd. Memorial donations may be sent to Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee in memory of Annie. As one of the great grandchildren said so eloquently, “Grandmother has left the playground of life to join Granddaddy in Heaven.” Together again.