Updated photo © by Kay Marshall

Obit for Betty posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Betty Lee Talley, age 93, died  at Sterling House in Norman, OK on March 21..  Mrs. Talley, a long-time resident of Norman, was the wife of the late Dr. O. J. (Jack) Talley, a 50-year dentist, and the mother of Judith Ann Talley-Dale, a French and English teacher, and the late Richard Bates Talley, an attorney,  both of Norman.  

Mrs. Talley was born Betty Lee Bates on May 29, 1917, to William Robert Bates and Anna Otis McCool Bates in Falls City, NE. She was the oldest of three children. She spent most of her school years in Kansas City, MO, where she graduated from Paseo High School. She met Jack while he was attending the University of Missouri Dental School, and they married after three dates.  A marriage that lasted 56 years.

Betty was known for her beautiful yard, her wonderful parties, and her love of travel.   Entertaining gave her much joy. She insisted that everything be perfect in every way. Her yard always included 1,000 tulips ordered from Holland and was named Best Yard of the Year, an honor about which she was very pleased. She and Dr. Talley (Jack) had traveled the world and particularly loved the Orient, a place they visited seven times.

Mrs. Talley also served the community in many ways. She was one of the original members of the Norman Hospital Auxiliary.  She was a member and past-president of the Fred Jones Theater Auxiliary and a 50-year member of her sorority Alpha Delta Pi where she served as alumnae president.  She was also one of the members of the Norman Garden Club, Sorosis Daughters, Chapter GC of PEO, and Ex Libris book club. Socially, she loved playing bridge, dancing, and going to Dine Out Club.  She and her husband Jack were faithful fans of the OU football and basketball teams. They were long-time season ticket holders.

A generous and loving woman, she was a wonderful cook who always made all meals special for her family and guests. She loved decorating for all holidays, particularly Christmas. She spoiled her family terribly during gift-giving occasions and gave them all great joy.  Her only regret would have been not being aware that she had so many wonderful great grandchildren.

Betty was preceded by her parents, her son, and her sister Barbara Bates Parshall of Sacramento, CA.

She is survived by her daughter and brother Bob Bates of Dallas, TX.  She will also be greatly missed by her grandchildren  Melissa Lee Rose Stanley of Dallas TX and husband Rob and her great granddaughter Miranda Anne Stanley, grandsons Robert Talley Rose of Louisville, KY, Rick Talley of Houston, TX, Sam and Lisa Talley and Jackson, Ella, and Luke of Norman, OK, Brad and Lisa Talley and Kensie, of Norman, OK, and Rachel Talley and daughter Peyton, also of Norman. In addition, she has many Talley and Parshall nieces and nephews who will mourn her passing.

Memorials may be made to Betty's Sunday school class, the Fellowship Class at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, 419 S. University Blvd., Norman, OK 73069. 

Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 16, 2011 in the Havenbrook Funeral Home Chapel under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home.