Rebecca Talley

Rebecca Sue Talley, 69, beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away on March 27, 2026, after a courageous seven-year journey with ALS. 

Rebecca was born in Tullahoma, TN, on August 17, 1956, to Parker and Donna Henderson, the third of five children. Rebecca spent her entire childhood and adolescence in Bangkok, Thailand, where her family served as missionaries. She went on to Lubbock Christian University, where she studied Biology. While there, she met the love of her life, Timothy Talley. They were married for 47 years and had three daughters, Elizabeth, Deborah, and Abigail.

Rebecca is remembered for her adventurous spirit, creative energy, and deep spirituality. These gifts were utilized in beautiful ways in the 27 years she spent in ministry in East Africa. She loved teaching, learning, living in multiple languages, and experiencing the rich diversity of the world. She had the unique ability to move between a wide range of contexts with grace—once trading the muddy boots she wore walking through a local slum to teach a Bible lesson for business casual attire to attend a meeting with a local mayor, all within hours.

After her family’s return to the United States in 2012, Rebecca completed her Master’s in Christian Ministry. She went on to teach as an Adjunct Professor of missions at LCU as well as being a full-time campus minister at the Broadway Church of Christ. One of her greatest joys was mentoring and investing in the lives of international students during those years.

Upon her ALS diagnosis in 2019, Rebecca retired from formal ministry, but her presence continued to make an impact on everyone she encountered. Her spiritual insight, faith, compassion, and wit enriched the lives of people literally around the world on a regular basis.

In her final years, Rebecca blossomed in one of her favorite roles of all, that of “Wao” to her seven grandchildren. She will long be remembered for power-chair drag races around the house, Christmas pajama parties, group word games on her phone (which she regularly won), and family times of worship.

Rebecca is survived by her husband, Timothy; her children, Elizabeth (Bryan Harrison), Deborah (Josh Kirby), and Abigail (Morgan Davis); her grandchildren, Annabelle, Mary Katherine, and Sabrine Harrison; Aletheia and Lukas Kirby; and John Wallace and Evelyn Davis; her siblings, Larry (Pam) Henderson, Jeanie (Danny) Allison, Priscilla (Mike) Jones, and Timothy (Mary) Henderson; and 19 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 5, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Venue On Broadway, 2202 Broadway. Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Monday, April 6, 2026, at Broadway Church of Christ.