Jerry Talley

Jerry Talley
Sept. 26, 1937 — Jan. 7, 2025
Jerry Glen Talley, 87, died Jan. 7, 2025, after a long struggle with Lewy body and Alzheimer’s disease.
Jerry was born in Philadelphia Sept. 26, 1937, to Joseph Thurman Talley (Joe) and Earline Barnette Talley. He grew up in Canton where he attended Canton High School. In high school, Talley sang in the choir, ensembles, and musicals. His home church was Center Terrace Baptist where he was active in the music and youth activities. He entered Mississippi College as a freshman music education major with a vocal emphasis.
It was at Mississippi College that he met Sarah Fortenberry, a piano major from Tylertown. They were married on June 11, 1961. During college, he led music in many summer youth revivals throughout Mississippi. He also served as a part-time music director at Roxie Baptist Church.
In the Fall of 1961, he entered New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He auditioned and was one of four chosen for the master of church music degree in choral conducting. He graduated in August of 1963.
Talley served many churches including Lakeview Baptist Church on Canal Boulevard, New Orleans, the First Baptist Church of Senatobia, Oak Forest Baptist Church in Jackson. He also was the Mississippi Baptist Convention Contract Consultant to plan and conduct festivals and leadership handbell events in the state for 18 years. He was a founding member of the Mississippi Baptist Singing Churchman and was an active member for many years.
Talley was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Earline Talley, his brother, Thad Talley, and sister-in-law, Harriette Talley of Summerville, SC.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Sarah Talley, children Glen Andrew Talley (Allison Alford Talley), Amy Talley Grenn (Trevor Grenn), and grandchildren Phillip and JoEllen Talley and Maddie and Carter Grenn, his sister Joann Talley Cooper (Walt), and brother Ken Talley (Linda).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Jerry and Sarah Talley Scholarship Fund at the Mississippi Baptist Foundation, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, P.O. Box 530, Jackson, Mississippi 39205.
Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram was in charge of the arrangements.