Lena Talley

One summer day Lena and her sister Irma (9 years old at the time) were walking to the neighborhood grocery store when Lena saw a handsome young sailor on the porch of his relative’s home. Lena knew she had to get his attention. She made her little sister walk with her to that store not less than five times that day! She got Donald Marvin Talley’s attention that day! Not only did she get his attention, she kept his attention! They were married more than sixty years until her death on September 2, 2022. Lena and Marvin have five children: Terry Talley, Margaret Talley, Damita Boochee (Andre), Tracy Whitfield and Donald Marvin “Marty” Talley Jr. (Angie).

Lena was a trailblazer. She was the only female barber graduating in her class in 1970 and she had

the distinction of being the oldest female barber in Indiana. Going by the name of “Ms. Talley” she starting cutting hair at Moore’s barbershop. After a short time she went to work at Leon’s Barber Shop where she worked until her passing—almost 50 years.

In an industry that even today is a male dominated profession she thrived. Her family estimates that she has sent more than 66,000 black men out of her chair with fresh cuts! She has cut generations of heads with grandfathers now taking their grandsons to “Ms. Talley” for their ceremonial first haircut. She was that good! She could talk sports with the best of them. Every sports fan who knew her has heard her opinion of LeBron James!

Lena received numerous awards and accolades. Although she didn’t get an official award for her cooking, she should have. Anyone who’s ever tasted her sweet potatoes or cornbread would agree that they were the “best in the world.” She was funny, feisty, stylish and beautiful inside and out!

Her childhood friend, Liz Ford, invited her to church where Lena accepted Jesus Christ at the age of ten years old! She was a member of Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God In Christ for decades and became of member of Living Water Fellowship Church in 2012 where she served on the intercessory team. Lena loved the Lord and very rarely missed church. She got her “dance on” nearly every Sunday!

In addition to her husband and children, Lena is survived by four sisters; Irma Neal, Beverly Coleman (Fred), Zelma Smalls, Pamela McSwine; two brothers; Willie McSwine Jr., and Jeffrey McSwine (Candy), her best friends; Elizabeth Ford and Wheatie Everett, 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren.

One of her familiar sayings was “I’m just me!” She really was one of a kind!