Judith Ann (Cole) Talkington

Judith Ann Cole Talkington passed in peace on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the age of 84. Judy was born in Houston, Texas, on November 29, 1939, to Willie Mae Cole and Mervin “Bill” Cole. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Paul Talkington; daughter, Judith Champion and husband Mark Champion; son, John Talkington and wife Dianna Talkington; sister Jeri Baker; grandchildren, Christopher Talkington and wife Jessica, Sara McGuane and husband Alex, Rachel Talkington; and great-grandchildren, Mason Talkington, Abigail Talkington, and Amelia Talkington. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Mae and Bill Cole, and brother Stephen Cole.

Judy graduated from Rice University with a bachelor’s degree in history and a teaching certificate. While at Rice, Judy met Paul Talkington, and they married on August 29, 1960, during their senior year in college. They lived a short while in Boston, Massachusetts, before returning to Dallas. Except for a few years early in their marriage when they lived in Houston, Texas, and Huntington Beach, California, they settled in and stayed in Dallas. During her life, Judy was an administrator by trade working for a law firm, a trucking company, a lumber company, the Garland Independent School District where she used her teaching certificate and developed the computer education curriculum for the district, and lastly for Southwest Securities in their IT procurement department.

In addition to her administrative career, Judy was an avid reader, enjoyed arts and crafts, and was a die-hard Texas Rangers fan. However, her passion was history and later in her life, genealogy. For many years, she volunteered with the Dallas County Heritage Society at Old City Park in Dallas, leading tours and telling visitors about the buildings in the park and Dallas history. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT). She spent at least the last 10 to 15 years of her life researching and documenting her family history.

A private visitation and private graveside service for the family will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home.

This will be followed by a Celebration of Life service for all family and friends at 3:30 pm in the Grand Hall at Ventana by Buckner located at 8301 N Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75225.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Judy Talkington to the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution - https://texasdar.org and/or the Daughters of the Republic of Texas - https://drtinfo.org.