Bertha E. Talley, 91, a longtime Skagit County resident, passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at the Life Care Center of Mount Vernon.

She was born on November 14, 1918 in Charlotte, NC, the daughter of Norman & Hester (Hodgin) Drake.

She was raised and attended school in North Carolina.  In 1934 she was united in marriage to Felix Talley in Clayton, Georgia and they lived in Georgia until coming to Skagit County in the late 1930’s making their home first in Hamilton until moving to Birdsview in 1957.  Felix passed away in 1972 and Bertha remained in Birdsview until moving to Sedro-Woolley in 1993.

She was an extremely dedicated wife to her husband, mother to her children and grandmother to her grandchildren.

She enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, especially roses and she was a charter member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Sedro-Woolley.

Bertha is survived by her daughters, Dorothy Dickinson and her husband Bennie of Ferndale and Doralyne Lisherness of Mount Vernon.  Her brother, James Drake and his wife Lois of Marysville and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  Besides her husband Felix she was also preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Doris Adams and Sylvia Talley; two brothers, Earl & Ted Drake, two sisters, Louise Burrese-Kell  and Edna Shelton and a great-granddaughter, Alana Dickinson.

The Talley family wishes to thank the staff at the Life Care Center of Mount Vernon for the loving care and support during their mother’s stay.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley followed by an inurnment service at the Hamilton Cemetery with Mr. Keith Fisher officiating.  Following the graveside service a fellowship gathering will be held at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center.