Jo Evelyn Odell Talley

Jo Evelyn Odell Talley died peacefully in her sleep on November 26, 2016 at the age of 86 years old. She was born March 30, 1930 in Alpine, TX to Gladys Peters Odell & Gene Pickney Odell. During the Depression her father worked for the CCC helping to build many of the famous landmarks in the West Texas area. However, the family moved to El Paso when Jo was a young child for the job opportunities. Jo Talley graduated from Yselta High School in 1948. She attended Sul Ross State College and graduated with a BBA from Texas Western College (now UTEP) in 1952. She married her former husband Raymond Talley in 1957, and spent over 20 years staying home to raise her children. When she returned to work, she was a long time employee for ARCO in Midland and then also worked for IBM in Austin before she retired. Upon her retirement she moved to Fort Stockton where she made her home for the next 17 years. Jo was an active bridge player and belonged to a number of different bridge clubs over the years. She was also a member of the PCMH Auxiliary for many years. Though a devout Baptist, she attended services many times at First Presbyterian Church to be with her family. She loved gardening, reading, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a three time cancer survivor (breast, bladder, bladder) before the ravages of Alzheimer's disease finally took her. Ms. Talley was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother Gene Odell Jr. She is survived by her sister Gladys Harris (Don) of El Paso, TX. She is also survived by her six children-Sheri Talley (Jim Hatcher) of Ft Stockton, Karen Talley (Christine Pointeau) of Gallup NM, Bill Talley (Paula) of Ft Worth, Beverly Bister (Geoff), Paul Talley (Glenda) of Flower Mound, and Dianne Talley of Austin. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren. A memorial service has been planned for December 17, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Ft Stockton at 2 pm with the Rev. Charles Reigle officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org/donate.