Norma Jean Talley

Norma Jean Talley, passed away Friday, August 4, 2017, while surrounded by her loving family.

Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at Biggers Funeral Home.

Interment: Private.

There will be a Celebration of her life in the fall.

She met and married her husband, Colonel Dorsey J. (Jim) Talley in Sacramento, California on November 29, 1959. Jim proposed by saying “I will show you the world,” and he did. They traveled the globe exploring exotic destinations together for a wonderful 58 years. Some of her favorites were Paris, Taiwan, Korea, Israel, and praying at the famous Wailing Wall. Sharing these beautiful experiences with her husband made them all the more joyful and exciting!

Norma began her career as one of the first television spokes models for Sears, Roebuck and Company in Atlanta, Georgia. She proudly assisted her husband during their 26 years in the USAF and was very proud of her work with the Domestic Violence Resources for Military Families. She was an author, accomplished painter, staunch children’s advocate, playwright, producer and director of many children’s programs. In addition, she was the creator of the Artful Dreams and Barn Yard Frolics programs.

She is a founding member of the Wade J. Woodmark Foundation, formed in honor of her grandson who passed in 2005.

As a member of the Lake Country Tennis and Golf Association, the Lake Country Bridge and Gourmet Club, The Women’s Club of Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Garden Club, she was an active and supportive member of the community. She shared a passion with her family and friends for the arts, design, bridge, gourmet cuisine, travel, nature, and animals. For 27 years she summered with her family at their home on the beautiful Oregon Coast, hosting her gang of “Beat the Heat” friends.

Norma was loved and embraced by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Wade J. Woodmark.

Our gracious thanks to Harris Methodist Hospital and Marine Creek Nursing home for the outstanding medical care they provided to our beautiful Norma!

“I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, soared upward, reached Heaven and touched the face of GOD!”

Survivors: She is survived by her mother, Pauline Patterson-Duvall; husband, Dr. Dorsey J. (Jim) Talley; daughter, Rhonda Lynne Talley-Woodmark and her husband, John Woodmark; son, James Eric (Jet) Talley; grandson, Clay David Dorsey Woodmark; sister-in-law, Betty Lou Jarrell;  and uncle, Ray Patterson and Mary Patterson.