Charles L. Talley

It is with deep love and gratitude that we celebrate the life of Charlie Lewis Talley, who entered into eternal rest at the age of 88.
Born in Roxboro, North Carolina, to (Mary) Beatrice Williams and Huley Talley, he lived a life full of faith, family, and purpose.
Charlie left North Carolina and moved to New Jersey for better job opportunities. While working at Greystone Psychiatric Hospital he met his soon to be wife, Agatha Cecelia Bennett. He wed the love of his life on June 11, 1959. Together, they recently, celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage. Their life together was rich with laughter, devotion, and countless memories inclusive of the many adventures they shared while traveling the world. From the sunny shores of Hawaii, which they visited over 10 times and the bright lights, prime rib and casinos of Las Vegas, visited 20+ times, to the scenic beauty of Alaska and England, they found joy in exploring life side by side. Other places visited include: Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Bahamas, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, St. Thomas, France, and Bermuda.
Charlie obtained an associates degree from Essex County College in 1972. He valued education and strongly encouraged his daughters, grandchildren, and their suitors and spouses, to get bachelor's degrees and higher.
Professionally, Charlie dedicated over 35 years to United Airlines, where he led the postal department with integrity and care. One of his proudest career moments came when he had the honor of greeting President Bill Clinton as Air Force One arrived at Newark Airport. After retiring in 1999, he continued to pour his energy into service, faith, family and community.
A faithful member of St. John Baptist Church (SJBC), Charlie was deeply involved in church life serving as a senior usher, singing joyfully in the men's choir, and later being ordained as a Deacon. His quiet strength, humility, and generosity made him a cornerstone of the congregation and a mentor to many.
Outside of work and church, Charlie found peace and joy in the simple pleasures of life. Charlie's greatest happiness came from his family. He also loved playing the "pick-it," golf, walking, and tending to his lawn, always taking pride in a well-kept yard. His love for travel, his sense of humor, and his kind, steady presence left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Affectionately known as "Poppi" to his family, his beloved nickname came about when his first grandchild, Corrinne, couldn't quite pronounce "Pop Pop" and the name has stuck ever since. To everyone who loved him, "Poppi" had the most gentle spirit, playful humor, and boundless love for his family. Those dearest to him always recounted "Poppi" with a camera around his
neck, and a big smile on his face, always taking photos and capturing countless memories to look at in the future. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grands, always keeping special treats in the freezer for them. One of his greatest joys in later years was helping his two great-grandchildren, RJ and Rae, take their very first steps teaching them how to crawl, walk, and explore the world with the same curiosity and determination he carried throughout his life.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice Lunsford and Huley Talley, siblings John Wiley and Richard Lunsford, Fannie Lou (Jake) Blaine and Barbara Ann Talley. He is survived by his loving wife Agatha Talley, his daughters Michelle Dabney and Charlene Talley, grandchildren Corrinne Talley-Hobbs (Rodrick Hobbs), Jameel Dabney and Nadiyah Dabney, great-grandchildren Rodrick Hobbs II and Rae-Madison Hobbs, and sister Johnnie Mae Wilkerson (Roger), as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will forever cherish his memory.
Though he may no longer walk among us, Charlie's love, laughter, and example will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.