Funeral services were held for Mrs. Lady Mae Benefield Talley, age 97, at Calvary Baptist Church, 1993 Hwy 3062, Homer, LA, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM, with Rev. Steve Beard, officiating. Interment was at New Ramah Cemetery in Haynesville, LA. Visitation was at the church on Monday, February 19, 2024, from 5-7 PM.

Mrs. Talley was born April 30, 1926, in Magnolia, AR, to Dut N. and Lola Hammock Benefield. She entered into rest on February 15, 2024, in Homer, LA. Mrs. Talley was an excellent seamstress as she made all of her daughters’ clothes even into adulthood. She made beautiful matching Easter frocks for church when the girls were younger. Mrs. Talley was an avid flower lover who enjoyed working in her flower beds. She had hundreds of day lilies and many other varieties. She and Jimmy would walk over the yard admiring their favorites. Mrs. Talley was a wonderful cook and after retirement, she tried many new recipes to feed her family and friends. Everyone loved her chicken-n-dumplings and cornbread dressing. In fact, she taught many individuals how to cook these delicious dishes. When the girls were young, the family would take camping trips to Arkansas and would ski for hours. Mrs. Talley worked as a waitress, head waitress and floor manager for Don’s Seafood and Steakhouse in Shreveport for over 20 years. She enjoyed dancing throughout her life. Once she moved back to Haynesville, playing cards with her friends was a favorite pastime. Visiting and making cherished memories with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great, great-grandchildren was something that gave her great delight. Mrs. Talley and Jimmy were season ticket holders for the LA Tech girls’ basketball games where they faithfully attended together. She liked all sports and watched any ball game on the television especially LSU. She and Dr. Salmon shared their love for the LSU Tigers during her office visits. Mrs. Talley was a devout Christian who attended several Baptist churches throughout her life and was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church of Homer where she served her Lord and Savior. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; the father to her three daughters, Leo F. Bailey; husband, James Talley; daughter, Donna Rose Bailey Overkamp; and six siblings, Wilma Holt, C.D. Benefield, Johnie Benefield, Buster Benefield, Donald Ray Benefield, and Margie Long.

She is survived by her two daughters, Frances Bragg and husband Charlie of Seguin, TX, and Rala Allen and husband Frank of St. Joseph, MO; two step-sons, Mikel Talley and wife Linda of Sapulpa, OK, and Ricky Talley and wife Penny of Magnolia, AR; sister, Bobbie Jean Walraven of Dubberly, LA; five grandchildren, Randy Allen, Tracy Arthur, Gregory Rambin, Keith Bostic, and Josh Bostic; four step-grandsons, Dustin Talley, Devin Talley, Lance Talley, and Austin Talley; eight great-grandchildren; seven great, great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Mrs. Talley’s family would like to express their gratitude to Claiborne Memorial Medical Center and Dr. Clifton Salmon along with their staffs for their compassion and care given to her during her final days.

Pallbearers were Ronald Day, Weylon Smith, Joe Freeman, John Goodwin, Cody Knighton, and Seth Miller.

Honorary pallbearers were David Musgrove, Pete Sjogren, and Ricky Bearden. 

In lieu of flowers honoring Mrs. Talley, her family suggests memorials be made to Calvary Baptist Church. 

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel  (318) 927-6110