Gerald Morris Talley

Gerald Morris Talley (Captain, retired), 82, of Batesville passed away in his sleep on Sunday, November 6. He was born on March 30, 1934, in Batesville, the son of Frank and Lela Thompson Talley. He served in the military for 43 years in the Arkansas National Guard and in the regular U.S. Army, retiring as a captain. During part of that time, he served as company commander for Company B in Batesville. He worked for many years at several newspapers, including the Batesville Guard and the Arkansas Gazette. He served as a deacon for Temple Baptist Church in Searcy, Arkansas for many years. He was a Master Mason and a member of the Blue Lodge in Searcy. He married the love of his life, Ritta Turner, in 1958, and they thrived together for 58 years and five months. He always said he knew he would marry her from the first time he saw her. His most lasting impact was as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, caretaker of injured and sick family, and loyal friend. He taught generations to play cards, eat ice cream, throw a Frisbee, and laugh. He was famous for handing out gold dollar coins to all his grandchildren and telling hilarious mixed up fairy tales. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, four sisters, a sister-in-law, and five brothers-in-law. His survivors include his loving wife, Ritta Talley; daughter, Suzanne Bufford and her husband, Lynn, of Pangburn; sons, Joey Talley and Brandy Hall of Batesville, and Terry Talley and his wife, Michelle, of Conway; his brother, Joe Talley, of Lawton, Okla.; his sister, Sara Thompson, of West Memphis; grandchildren, David "Drew" Talley of Fort Worth, Joshua Talley of Sherwood, Sara Talley of Sherwood, Ethan Talley of Conway, Joseph "Ben" Bufford of Pangburn, and Sydney Talley of Conway; one great-grandchild, Adelaide; and 13 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also loved and survived by dozens of friends. We will all miss him. Pallbearers will be Bob Alkire, Kenny Covington, Dean Wallis, Dewey Ghent, Winford Williams, and Roger Harris. Honorary pallbearers are Gloria Shadrick, Ann Turley, Bill and Kathy Anderson, Mary Alkire, Bea Turner, James Hodge and Myra Kendall. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2016, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home Chapel in Batesville with Bro. Joe Clements, Bro. Jeff Thomas, and Steve Coop. Music will be provided by Bob Alkire, Dewey Ghent, James Kitts, Crawford Kitts, and Shirley Manning. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday prior to the service. www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/batesville