Reverend Arthur Talley, Jr, 85, peacefully completed his final journey to his home inheaven on February 23, 2026 at 6:35 a.m. He was a resident at the Falkville
Rehabilitation Center under the care of Affinity Hospice.
Arthur was born to the late Arthur Jart Littleton Talley and the late Pearl Mae (Yates)
Talley on November 29, 1940 in Leoma Tennessee. Arthur married the late Rebecca
June (Meherg) Talley on November 28, 1961.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Rebecca June (Meherg), his parents,
and his siblings; Paul, Flossie, Nadine, Vesta, Herman, DC, Geraldine, Mary Jo, and
James. He is survived by his children Dr. Robert (Dawn) Talley of Forest, VA, Lucretia
(Donnie) Echols of Cullman, Alabama, Carla Huddleston of Madison, Alabama,
Missionary Michael (Marsha) Talley of Koenigs-Wusterhausen, Berlin, Germany, Dr.
Deborah (John) Secord of Lincoln, North Dakota, Pastor David (Tonya) Talley of
Hurlock, Maryland, Rev. Stephen (Talitha) Talley of Crossville, Alabama, Sarah (Doug)
Crosby of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 26 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and one
great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces and nephews.
Arthur was a 1959 graduate of Fairview High School. He earned an Associate in
Applied Science in Mechanical Technology from John C. Calhoun State Technical Junior
College, a Bachelor of Science from Athens State College, a Master of Ministry from
Bethany Theological Seminary, and also studied at North Carolina State University. He
was a Senior Research Engineer in Monsanto Textiles Company’s Technical Center
(Decatur) and Hills Inc. (Melbourne, Florida) before becoming a consultant with Bico
SpinDoctor. During his tenure as an engineer, he obtained more than twenty patents.
He was a proud veteran of the United States Airforce, serving from 1959 – 1963 as a jet
engine mechanic on Canon Airforce Base in Clovis, New Mexico with overseas service
in Thailand.
He was a preacher of the gospel for 53 years, and planted three churches (Emmanuel
Baptist – Fayetteville, TN, Faith Baptist – Eva, AL, and Bethel Baptist – Addison, AL,
and also pastored Emmanuel Baptist Church – Decator, AL for a number of years.
When he wasn’t pastoring, he was involved in the music ministry of various churches.
He taught singing schools using shaped notes and Stamps-Baxter music all across the
North Alabama area. He was most known for his voice. As a soloist, he was frequently called upon to sing
How Great Thou Art, Part of My Life, and The Unseen Hand among other songs. His
family and friends often joined him in singing. He truly loved to “make a joyful noise unto
the Lord.”
Arthur had a competitive spirit which was apparent in both his work and his play. He
loved to joke and was always pulling pranks on someone. He was an avid Alabama
football fan and never lost an opportunity to say, Roll Tide!
Arthur grew up on a farm and loved his garden. He enjoyed working farmers markets in
North Alabama with his son’s farm, Talley Fruit Farms, and was well known for his
humor, his kindness, and his ability to boost sales by offering samples of his wife’s
pepper jelly.
He was proud of his children and especially of the fact that all four of his boys are
preachers of the gospel.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6 from 6 – 8 PM at Shelton Funeral Home in
Decatur, Alabama. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 AM at
Daniel’s Chapel Baptist Church in Eva, Alabama followed by a graveside service at the
same location.
Pall Bearers and honorary pall bearers will be his grandsons Philip
Talley, Matthew Terry, Carl Huddleston, Joseph Huddleston, Nathan Huddleston, Joshua
Talley, John Talley, Maverick Secord, Seth Talley, Eli Talley, Patrick Talley, Gavin Talley,
Graham Talley, Jonathan Crosby, Eric Crosby, and great grandsons, Jacob Anderson
and Aaron Webb.
