Ella "Mama Ella" Talley

 Ella Lee Talley “Mama Ella”, began her wonderful journey of life on a beautiful fall day, November 13, 1930, to the late Eliza Bell Ramey and Samuel (Nellie) Talley. In addition to her parents, her son, John Wesley Barker; sister, Juanita Sherman; brother, James Talley; grandchildren: Dejuan Maffett, Dontavious Talley, Legend Hutchinson, Donteʹ Bell; aunt, Dora Lee Lyles; uncles: Cledous Talley, Nathaniel Talley and niece, Klamana Grogan preceded her in death.

 Ella accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at Cabin Row Missionary Baptist Church. As time went on, Ella started to attend and worship at other churches. She loved the Lord, when it came to where she couldn’t attend that didn’t stop her from being faithful in her word. She continued to serve the Lord from her home. On Sunday mornings she would tune into Bobby Jones and Rev. Jerry Jerkins. During the week days she tuned into Billy Graham; reading her Bible, her favorite scripture was Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want”.

 Ella received her education in the Montgomery County School System and was a graduate of the Historic Burt High School. She was also a member of the NHA Chapter of America from 1947 to 1948. Ella was employed early in life at First Christian Church, downtown Clarksville as a daycare worker for several years and then she became a home maker and helped raise her grandchildren and anyone else’s children that came along the way. She never met a stranger and didn’t mind speaking her mind and telling you how she felt. Mama Ella to all who had the pleasure of meeting her, felt the same loving and nurturing that she gave to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved her soap opera “Young and the Restless” and Victor Newman was one of her favorite.

 Mama Ella loved her family above anything else, spending time with family always brought excitement. She loved to see her grandchildren play outside. She would have a big bright smile and joy in her heart. She didn’t miss a beat when it came time to getting glamorous twice a month as she looked forward to spending time with her dear friend, Mrs. Mary Ewing, who would place those beautiful curls in her hair. She was well known for her famous one egg homemade pudding with that delicious sauce, biscuits, yeast rolls and don’t forget the buttermilk pie.

 Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt lived a blessed blissful beautiful 94 years of life. Early afternoon Friday, February 14, 2025, after filling her room with beautiful flowers, God called her home to her resting place in heaven. Surrounding her bedside were her children.

 She leaves a wonderful legacy to cherish her memories her daughters: Shirley Maffett, Louisville, KY, Olivia Williams, Lake Charles, LA, Eddie Hutchenson, Patricia Hutchinson, Brunette Harrison, all of Clarksville, TN; son, Sammie (Virginia) Talley, Clarksville, TN; daughter-in-love, Waneda Barker; sisters: Sallie (Sammie) Shelton, Nancy (Rickey) Boyce, Mary Francis (Charles) Foster, Marilyn Bell, all of Nashville, TN; brothers: Charlie (Mary) Talley, Nashville, TN, Dale (Mildred) Talley, Kingston Springs, TN; a special grandson, D’Amato Trotter whom she raised until she was unable to care for him after the passing of his mother and her granddaughter, Shafonda Trotter; 20 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, 76 great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives; a very special caregiver whom she loved and was dear to her heart and became part of the family; bonus granddaughter, Tawanna Williamson; bonus son, Eugene Maffett.