In a small log cabin alongside a creek in Killeen, Texas, on June 30, 1930, a wonderful woman was born, Imogene Josephine Talley. She was the third of seven children born to the late Thomas Chester “TC” Talley and the late Lily Dale Mayfield Talley. On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, her journey here on earth completed the last mile.
A celebration service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Evergreen Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Michael Fennell. Burial will be held at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park following the service.
At a young age she joined her younger brother for a short time working on the carnival. While working with the carnival she was introduced to Wayne Fennell who would later become her husband. Shortly after marriage they both left the carnival and she stayed at home, in Vernon, Texas while he went to work driving trucks.
Searching for something missing in her life, she began to realize that she had gone away from what she had been taught by her mother, which was having God and daily prayer in her life. She began looking for a church to attend that would have the presence of God and teachings to help fill that void. On November 20, 1952, during a revival at the United Pentecostal Church in Vernon, Texas, Imogene and the rest of her family attended service. She came with “a hunger in her heart” and it was there at the altar where she was met by God, who became her Savior, and changed her life forever. That night she received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and two days later was baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus. Together with her husband she began a new walk, and started what became a lifetime of faith, belief, and prayer that God would supply all their needs.
Along with her family they relocated to California where her husband received his ministerial license to fulfill the call of God on his life. She first became a pastor’s wife in the 1960’s when her husband started his ministry of a new church for six years. After moving several times through the years her husband accepted the pastorate in Great Falls, Montana at the United Pentecostal Church in 1974. She worked alongside her husband in the ministry for eighteen years in that church. In 1994, her husband of forty-six years, Rev. Wayne Fennell passed away. In 1997, she decided to make Laurinburg her home where she resided until her passing.
She was a prayer warrior, never afraid to witness to anyone who would listen, and was an encourager to many. God was always number one in her life and the one she depended on for her needs and those of others around her. She was always an avid reader of the Bible daily and continued a very strong prayer life. She traveled to many states, as well as internationally, she always said, “have ticket will fly.” Through the years she took on many hats including: pastor’s wife; housekeeper at the Everett General Hospital in Everett, Washington; caregiver through Easter Seals in Great Falls, Montana; and throughout her life she was an accomplished seamstress. She enjoyed crafts, reading, especially story-telling of her past experiences and her family, and wouldn’t turn down a chance to play a game of 42 dominos.
Mom, Grandma, Nana, Sister, Aunt, Friend, thank you for being such an inspiration to so many, full of faith, and an example of a worshiper of God. Her daily walk with God always demonstrated what she was known to say in her testimony, “It’s still joy unspeakable and full of glory.” We are going to miss you dearly, but you will forever continue to remain in our hearts and memories.
Imogene was also preceded in death by two sons, Clay Fennell and Carl Fennell; two brothers, Monroe Talley and Melvin Talley; and one sister, Ona Payne.
She leaves to cherish her memories, four children: Rev. Michael Fennell (Ruth) of Grand Forks, ND, Dalene Barnhill (Rev. Joe) of Laurinburg, Suson Crawford (Steven) of Granbury, TX, and Allon “Sam” Fennell (Cindy) of Marysville, WA; daughter-in-law, Linda Fennell of Marysville, WA; ten grandchildren: David Fennell (Heather), Tonya Denny (Richard), Wayne Fennell (Lori), Mindy Ybarra (Rodney), Jason Crawford, Carlena Barnhill, Allon Fennell, Shannan Crawford, Anthony Barnhill, and Christina Harpin (Brandon); twelve great-grandchildren: Shae, Katelyn, Alexis, Maggie, Madeline, Chaz, Chandler, Josh, Ella, Bethany, Lexie, and Elleora; two great great-grandchildren, Pressley and Evaleah; three brothers: Charles Talley, Roy Talley, and Tom Talley; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at Scotland Regional Hospice – Morrison Manor for the wonderful care they provided.
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