Robert T. Talley

Out of the union of Essie Mae (Holmes) and William Talley came Robert Taft Talley. He arrived in the world April 26,1931 and went home to be with the Lord on June 13,2025.

In Robert’s early years in the American Addition neighborhood of Columbus, his nicknamed was “Pap.” As a child he attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was known as an exceptional athlete at East High School. He was on the Baseball, Track and Field teams and was the captain of the Football tea, where he played both offense and defense. He graduated from East High School in 1951 with letters in both Football and Track and Field. He attended North Carolina AT&T, on a Track and Field scholarship. In 1952 he married Jeanne Rogers, his high school sweetheart. They were married 65 years before Jeanne’s passing in June 2017.

At the age of thirteen he started his first job at Camp Lazarus as a cook. As an adult, Mr. Talley was employed at Zinc Oxide, Georgia Pacific, Transportation Resources and retired from White Westinghouse after 34 years in quality control in the Chemistry Laboratory.

Mr. Talley has been a member of the A.M.E. Church for over 64 years including
Mt. Zion AME and a member of St Mark A.M.E. Church for over 50 years, where he served as Usher, Steward, Treasurer, Trustee, and a member of the Finance Committee.

In 1974, Robert along with Patricia Milner, formed Capital City Comets Track Club. He remained the head coach for over 25 years. This organization has offered young people in the community a safe and productive way to spend their leisure time, while teaching goal setting, discipline , and leadership skills. Robert required all his young people to have, regular attendance in school, good conduct and passing grades in all their studies. To date more than 1,000 athletes have participated in this program. Many have been awarded academic scholarships to college. One former athlete said, “ Every child should have a Mr. Talley in their life.” In addition to coaching, Robert has held leadership roles in the governing bodies of The Athletic Congress (TAC) , USA Track and Field (USATF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). He began an Outreach program at Pilgrim Elementary School for young people.

Preceded in death by his wife Margaret Jeanne Rogers Talley, his parents: Essie Mae (Holmes) and William Talley, sisters: Joan (Talley) Clark, Willa Mae (Milton) Cason and Glenda C. Talley, Nephew Wayne Cason, and Son Gerald Talley.

He leaves to cherish his memory, son Robert (Lois) Talley, daughters: Gina and Lisa Talley, Daughter-in-law Gwen Talley, and ten grandchildren: Bianca, Simeon, Damon, Yohance, Jonathan, Imani (Kevin), Aaron, Jordan, Michael, Nicole, and four great grandchildren: Ameir, Koyela, Keva and Ayan. Nieces: Karen Berkley, Sharon Kerner and Charla Clark. Nephews: Brian Clark, Ronald Talley, William Talley, Brandon Talley. Cousins: Sylvia Jacob, Carolyn Holmes, Deborah Holmes, John Jackson to name a few. Special friends: Thomas Barnett, and Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Whitaker and others.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26th, 2025 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm with a Funeral Service immediately following at St. Mark AME 480 Trevitt St, Columbus, OH 43203. Burial will process to Greenlawn cemetery.

To leave a message of condolence please visit his Guest Book.