Annie Grandma Talley slipped from the loving embrace of her family and into the arms of her Savior on March 13, 2017. She was 89. Grandma was born in 1928 on a kitchen table in the church next to her home. This seemed appropriate for a woman who would run a ministry out of her kitchen later in life. Grandma was a de- pression baby and spent much of her child- hood caring for 'Baby Brother' Beck, while her mother worked at the state capitol. It was a la- bor of love and she never wavered in her affec- tion and love for him. After she graduated from John Marshall High School in 1945, she attended Johnson-Willis Nursing School 1946- 48 and signed up for the Army Nurse Cadet Corp. In 1948 her relationship with Scotty, her high school sweetheart blossomed and they were married. Thirteen years, six children and 15 moves later they settled in Daytona Beach. It was 1955 and Gma brought what the new neighborhood needed...unconditional love. She had a heart that was as big as all out doors and her arms seemed to reach around all of the world’s cares. Her ears and heart were always open to anyone that needed to talk. Her sense of humor was delightful and her laughter was contagious. Her constant cheerfulness and smile were magical and had the power to heal...When her children were young, Grandma was the “Block Mother” to children of all ages, including infancy to old age. She loved everyone who came through her door. She had a natural connection with her children and their friends that made her both approachable and accessible to any one in need. She counseled, coaxed, advised, disciplined and challenged all of the children that she touched. Her girls were interested in gymnastics so she had a balance beam and uneven bars installed in her backyard. All of the girls in the area soon learned to do gymnastics and cheerleading....Gma taught them all to walk like models. The boys watched the girls as they played pool in the family room. There was always room for animals in her home too. At times her home resembled a zoo, filled with abandoned animals and wildlife. She nursed every little bird or baby squirrel that the neighborhood children brought her and even made room for an assortment of snakes, turtles, rats and bats that the boys brought home. She used these creatures to teach the children to be kind and compassionate and that all life is important. Her dining room table always had room for one more and there seemed to be enough to go around. Her young family learned quickly that smaller portions of food meant increased love and sharing. When her children were older and her responsibilities at home decreased, Gma increased her volunteer time at Ortona Elementary. She volunteered for over 50 years in the school system and established an assistance program at Ortona for struggling families. Basically, she expanded and moved her “Block Mother” program from her home to the school. This program offered hope, encouragement, food, clothing, shelter, transportation, networking with other assistance programs, eyeglasses for children, Christmas and Thanksgiving assistance. She manned this program with generations of fam- ily members who treasured the wonderful memories of those crazy times with Grandma at the parenting center. Grandma won many awards for her work such as; The President’s Points of Light, The Volusia County Volunteer of the Year and the JC Penny Golden Rule, but her favorite was one from Ortona that simply said “To Grandma Talley for Loving the Children at Ortona”. She said, “They finally got it right”. Grandma continued her volunteer work until it became physically impossible. Then, another door opened with great grandchildren behind it. With 38 family members within 30 miles of each other, Grandma was very busy attending all of the ceremonies, churches, birthdays, play days, trips to the zoo, game nights, ropes course, and craft days. Gma loved every party, date and excursion. God had provided her with another opportunity to share her heart and laughter with another generation. Grandma was a blessing to each person she touched and her life was a testimony to the power of God's love. She was preceded in death by her husband, Scotty and two sons, John and T-Bird. Those left behind include daughters, Christy Cagle (Gerry), Beth Heilman (Mark), Patricia Talley and Tami Andrasco; a brother, Beckham Dickerson (Tina); grandchildren, Patricia (David), Jamee (Gilbert), Markus (Carly), Jesse (Dawn), Lee (Kristi), Jeannah (Anthony), A.J., Jayson (Casey), Lauren, John (Casey), Watt (Raie), Bradley (Randi) and Heather; great grandchildren, Jackson, Becket, William, Benjamin, Marly, Nolen, Emily, Kialee, Kali,
Halle, Olivia (Juliana) and Hayden. In lieu of other remembrances the family suggests donations be made in Grandma’s memory to either the Salvation Army or the Halifax Humane Society. A memorial celebration will be held for Annie, on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 11:00 am at The First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach, 336 S. Halifax Dr., Ormond with Rev. Scott Smith and Rev. Phil Roughton officiating.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Annie Ruth "Grandma" Talley, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.