Mattie Jane Martin Talley

Mattie Jane Martin Talley, 90, of Gainesville, Georgia, went home to meet her Savior on September 3, 2021.

Mattie Jane was the daughter of Utah and Ola Martin and was born on November 18, 1930. She was one of six children who first names all begin with M. She was named Mattie Jane because she was born on her grandmother’s birthday whose name was Mattie Jane.

Mattie Jane graduated from Sardis High School where she was valedictorian of her senior class and played basketball. She went to Young Harris College and later to North Georgia College in Dahlonega. In 1950 she married the love of her life, Walter Talley. While their four children were young, she returned to North Georgia College to complete her degree in education. She retired from teaching language arts to many students at Sardis High School, Lanier Elementary School, North Hall High School, and North Hall Middle School. After her retirement in 1993, she and Walter traveled many places until his death in 2005.

Mattie Jane was saved as a young girl at Chestatee Baptist Church, was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Dawsonville and later Corinth Baptist Church in Gainesville. She was a charter member of Northlake Baptist Church in Gainesville. She always loved teaching children’s classes in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Awana. She worked at the Northlake’s food pantry until her health prevented her from doing so. Mattie Jane served in the WMU (Women’s Missionary Union) for many years and went on several mission trips. She was always serving with a smile inside and outside of the church. She taught all of her family the importance of serving the Lord and attending church regularly. She loved cooking (especially her famous fried apple pies and cathead biscuits) for her family and hosted the Martin Reunion and Talley New Year’s Celebration for years at her home with Walt.

Mattie Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Utah and Ola Martin; husband of 55 years, Walter Jackson Talley; brothers Marcus Martin, Milton (Damaris) Martin, and Merritt (Mildred) Martin; father/mother-in-law Robert (Audie) Talley; brothers-in-law Hayward Martin, Bill (Lorene) Talley, Roger Talley; sisters-in-law Ellen Talley (Cecil) Nichols, Bobbie Talley (Herbert) Goswick, Ann Talley (Happy) Poole.

Mattie Jane leaves behind her four children: Wanda (Dennis) Land, Joe, Sr. (Sharon) Talley, Jack (Sue) Talley, and Anna (Bill) Campbell; 11 grandchildren: Carey (Colleen) Whitlow, Susan (Mitch) Harkins, Jenny (Stephen) Riddle; Joe, Jr. (Krystal) Talley, Austin (Kim) Talley, Robert (Lauren) Talley, Katie (Brad) Thomas, Sam Talley, Marie Campbell, Victoria (Nathan) Turk, Andrew Campbell; sisters Mildred Martin and Montene (Jimmy) Lewis; sister-in-law Bobbie Martin; brother-in-law Emmett (Frieda) Talley; 18 great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, a host of step children/grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom she loved so much!

Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery on Sunday prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. for family only. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday September 05, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Northlake Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Sunday September 05, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Northlake Baptist Church. Reverend Danny Jones will officiate the Memorial service, and Reverend Tony Smith will officiate the graveside.

Please consider giving to the building fund at Northlake Baptist Church, 4823 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506 In Memory of Mrs. Talley.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com