Doris (Knott) Talley

Doris Knott Talley, 87, passed peacefully to be with our Lord on Saturday, February 22, 2020. She was born May 23, 1932 in the house that her father built, on the family farm on Riley Hill Road in eastern Wake County, to the late Joseph Thomas Knott, Sr. and Ethel Robertson Knott. Doris graduated from Knightdale High School in 1950, Meredith College in 1954, and did graduate studies in Library Science at UNC -Chapel Hill. She enjoyed being a part of four professions: teacher, librarian, realtor and full-time wife and mother. Doris taught junior high school History and Civics, drove a bookmobile through six counties of Tennessee, and served as a librarian in New York City, NY, Sparta, TN, and Raleigh, NC.  In 2016, she retired from the business she started, Talley Realty, but never stopped encouraging others to invest in their community through the joy of home ownership. Doris served her public-school community as PTA president, heart fund volunteer, and chairman of the Knightdale Schools Advisory Council.  She was a devoted member of her community of faith, Knightdale Baptist Church, serving in many capacities, most recently as teacher of the Faith Challengers Sunday School class for 30 years. Doris loved spending time with her family. Whether it was Saturday night gatherings, Sunday afternoon dinners, Sunday School celebrations, or family reunions, there was always room at the table for at least one more. She enjoyed taking family trips to Florida, Europe, California and the beach; picnicking and stopping at historic sites were a signature part of the adventure. Doris was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Knightdale Baptist Church, 15 Main Street, Knightdale, NC 27545.  Burial will follow at the New Knightdale Baptist Church Cemetery.

Her children will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service & Crematory, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert Laverne Talley, Sr.; sons: Robert Laverne Talley, Jr. (Jennifer) of Wake Forest, Charles William Talley II of Knightdale, John Michael Talley (Jill) of Rolesville, Richard Thomas Talley (DeAnne) of Knightdale; daughter, Dorothy Talley Holley of Raleigh; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, J.T. Knott, Jr. of Knightdale; twin sister, Dorothy Knott Preston of Raleigh; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, John Holley; sisters: Catherine Ann Knott and Ethel Janis Knott Thompson.    

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Knightdale Baptist Church Missions, PO Box 21, Knightdale, NC 27545.    

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris (Knott) Talley, please visit our floral store.