Alberta Talley

Ms. Alberta Talley, 75, of Springfield, Massachusetts was given her wings and took flight to heaven on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at her home. She was born in Easley, South Carolina, on Tuesday, November 5, 1940, to the late Rev. Jesse James and Pearl Wakefield Talley. She was lovingly called “Biggie” and her grandkids called her “Grandma”.


She was a 1958 graduate of former Clearview High School in Easley, SC.

She joined Sweet Canaan Baptist Church at an early age under the leadership of Dr. C. C. Stewart, Sr. and attended every time she would visit South Carolina.

Alberta moved to Springfield, Massachusetts with her sister, Juanita. While there she joined the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church located at 68 Church Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. As a faithful member she served as church secretary and on the Trustee Board for over twenty years. She served on the Usher Board as president for over forty years. Alberta was also a member of the local United Church Ushers, Inc. She always looked great in those Usher’s Marches in her white uniform.

Her work Career expanded for over 40 years. Her last job before retirement was at Milton Bradley/Hasbro, where she had worked for 33 years.

Alberta was a soft spoken, honest, loving, hard-working and dedicated friend to all. She was known for her warm smile, sewing and baking cakes, which she shared with everyone and her fancy outfits.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Lillie Talley, Geneva Talley Todd, Marian Talley Long and Earnestine Talley Davis; one brother, Charles Eugene Talley; three nieces, Jackie Talley Dibbles, Nancy Florene Holbrook Jubrey and Stacey Talley Whitner and one nephew, Larry Talley; two sisters-in-law, Charlena Brown Talley and Ruby Frances Robinson Talley; two brothers-in-law, Alvin Todd and Ben Long, Sr. also her long-time friend, Sam Horton.

She leaves this life to cherish fond memories, her daughter Aretha SanTina (Willie Jr.) Richardson of Jersey City, NJ; two grandchildren, Willie III and Ayla Richardson of Jersey City, NJ; two brothers, James (Jennie) Talley of North Jacksonville, F and Jasper Talley of Greenville, SC; three sisters, Juanita (Luther) Holbrook of Springfield, MA and Ruby Nell Talley and Mary (Charles) Bradley, both of Easley, SC; a cherished nephew, Gary (Mechelle) Holbrook and cherished nieces, Sherry Graves and Lisa Holbrook; a great-niece, JaLisa Holbrook, all of Springfield, MA and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, other relatives and treasured friends.