Judith Ann Talley- Dale

Judith Ann Talley-Dale, age 80, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed away on September 22, 2022, after a short illness. Judy is survived by her daughter, Melissa Rose Stanley and son-in-law, Robert Stanley, of Dallas, Texas, and her much loved granddaughter, Miranda Anne Stanley, of Norman. She is also survived by her nephews, Rick Talley and husband Scott, of Cyprus, TX; Sam Talley, wife Lisa, and children Jackson, Ella, and Luke; Brad Talley, wife Heather, and children Kensie, Max, and Melanie; and her niece, Rachel Alexandra Talley Ward, husband Rustin, and children Mac, Peyton, and Reagan, all of Norman. Other survivors include nieces Ashley Blue, husband Jimmy, and children Christian, Darian, Monroe, and Bryant, and Shelby Peters and partner Alex Ozuna, and children Justin, Ayanna, Athan, Faith, Axton, and Maverick all of Norman. Her sisters-in-law, Suby Talley and Joan Talley, also survive her.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Robert L. Dale; father, Dr. O.J. Talley; mother, Betty Lee Talley; son, Robert Talley Rose; granddaughter, Savannah Rose Stanley; brother, Richard Bates Talley, and longtime partner, Robert Roy.

Judy was born in Texarkana, TX, in 1942, and spent the WW II years in San Francisco with her mother while her father practiced dentistry aboard a troop ship in the Pacific. After moving to Norman, she attended McKinley Elementary School. During this time, Judy loved to play jacks, ride bikes, catch lightning bugs, and attempt to play softball. She loved music and dancing. She went on to attend Norman Junior High School and Norman High School, where she graduated as Valedictorian in 1960. Her many activities included Gingersnaps, French Club, and National Honor Society. She was chosen twice as an attendant for Football Queen and was on the team that won the State Chemistry Award.

After graduation, Judy attended the University of Oklahoma where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She graduated with Distinction from OU with a B.A. in French in 1965, after spending a year of college studying at Reid Hall in Paris, France. Returning to graduate school several years later, she completed a Master’s in Human Relations in 1990, under the tutelage of Dr. George Henderson. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. She also received two Fulbright teaching awards to Quebec and to France.

A lifelong teacher, Judy taught as a Graduate Assistant in French at OU, and as a French/English teacher at Harding Senior High and Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, where she was elected Faculty Queen, before beginning a long career in teaching French and Senior English at Norman High School. Retiring in 1998, Judy went to work immediately at BancFirst of Norman. Loving her work there but greatly missing her students, she went on to teach at Community Christian School, Rose State College, and Oklahoma City Community College.

Judy was a member of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church; PEO, serving as Chaplain; Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae, where she served as treasurer for more than a decade; Sorosis Daughters; Oklahoma Chapter of the Fulbright Association, where she also served as treasurer; and Assistance League of Norman. She was a supporter of the Norman Firehouse Art Station. After her retirement, she found fulfillment by volunteering at McFarlin Methodist Church and at Norman Regional Hospital. In recent years, she especially enjoyed her games and activities as a member of the Norman Newcomers Club.

Among Judy’s personal favorite things to do were spending time with Melissa and Miranda, reading mysteries, and watching challenging game shows, as well as crime and medical dramas on TV. She loved a good game of bridge and never turned down a game of canasta. She particularly enjoyed her lunches with her friends who called themselves, The Golden Girls. Judy was an avid fan of the OU football and women’s basketball teams. She remained dedicated to her students and teaching. Snuggling with her dogs, Sparky and Bella, gave her great comfort and pleasure. She was a fun-loving but hard-working mother who adored her children and grandchild, and she treasured her many loyal friends.