Charles Maurice Talley

Charles Maurice Talley, 85, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, surrounded by his family at his home in Leakey, Texas. He was born in Madisonville, Texas on March 30, 1938, to Leland Aden and Josie Mozelle (Mize) Talley. He attended Yorktown High School and served in the U.S. Air Force.

Charles married Gloria Joan Smerken on November 27, 1972. They moved from Houston to Beeville in 1975, where Charles worked in the oilfield. After retiring, Charles and Joan traveled for a while before moving to Leakey, where they built a log cabin home on their land. 

 He enjoyed hunting and fishing, motorcycle rides and rallies, his hot rod, playing cards and dominoes, and he loved to barbecue. His brisket was the best! At times he lived life on the edge and enjoyed every minute of it. To those of us who loved him, he was larger than life and more than enough. 

 Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Leland & Josie Talley; and his sisters, Billie Jo Blaschke and Patsy Louise Fitzgerald. 

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Joan (Smerken) Talley; his daughters, Brenda (Steve) Cain of McQueeney, Suzan Talley of Victoria and Debbie (David) Dotson of Waxahachie; two sons, Charles Talley Jr. of Colorado and Jeffery (Katharina) Talley of Cibolo; a stepson, Andy (Rachel) Espinosa of Richmond; daughter-in-law, Martha Talley of Leakey; granddaughters, Sara (Jason) Cain, Annie (Andrew)  Francis,  Rachel (Joshua) Webb, Alyssa Talley and Regan Talley; grandsons, Jacob (Devin) Dotson, Matthew Thedford, Aden Talley, Leland Talley and Cory, Ryan and Luke Espinosa; and two great-granddaughters, Kaydence Dotson and Josephine Webb. 

Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at Beeville Memorial Park followed by a graveside service at 1 o’clock.

Pallbearers will be Steve Cain, David Dotson, Aden Talley, Andy Espinosa, Jeff Talley, Luke Espinosa and Blake Dunn.