Robert Laverne Talley, Sr.

Robert Laverne Talley, Sr., 93, passed peacefully to be with our Lord on Sunday, May 29, 2022. He and his twin sister were born at home on August 28, 1928, the youngest of nine children of the late Charles Odas Talley, Sr. and Martha Frances Barker Talley. His family enjoyed making music together, often leaving Wednesday night choir practice at College Park Baptist Church to continue singing on the front steps of the church. Public education included playing in the school orchestra; Bob played the viola. Bob graduated from Greensboro High School, Campbell College and Wake Forest College. He married the late Doris Knott Talley while serving in the Army as an Electronics Technician.  His military training sparked an interest in graduate studies in nuclear engineering at Tennessee Technical Institute and North Carolina State University. 

Bob and Doris moved back home to Knightdale to raise their children. He was a faithful deacon and active choir member of Knightdale Baptist Church. He served on the Eastern Wake School Advisory Board and supported his community while working as an electrical engineer for the State of North Carolina Department of Administration. With dual registration as a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, he ran Talley and Associates, working nights and weekends as a surveyor. In his own business he was able to provide weekend employment for his children and for many youth in the community. 

Bob loved his family and his extended family. After a day of surveying, Saturday nights were spent eating grilled chicken and drinking coffee, milk, or cold iced tea as the season warranted. All were welcome at his table and there was always a bowl of ice cream to be shared. Bob continued his love of music, singing in the church choir with his children and attending the band, orchestra, and chorus concerts of his grandchildren; a classical station played 24 hours a day. 

Bob was a devoted son, twin, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. 

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, June 3, 2022 at Knightdale Baptist Church, 15 Main Street, Knightdale, NC 27545.  Burial will follow at the New Knightdale Baptist Church Cemetery. 

His children will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, June 2, 2022 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service & Crematory, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale. 

He is survived by 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; six great-grandchildren; twin sister, Ruth Elaine Talley Shope of Greensboro; many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

In addition to his wife and his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, John Holley; brothers: Charles Odas Talley, Jr., Constantine Barker Talley, William Bryan Talley, and sisters: Mary Edith Talley, Maude Virginia Talley, Ola Frances Talley, Martha Lynn Talley.     

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

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