Kaye Mansell Talley

KAYE MANSELL TALLEY

"I hope you had the time of your life."

Our mother did not like obituaries (unless they were "real") and told us she did not want one nor did she want a traditional, formal service. We spent many of our early years doing what mom did not want us to do so this will come as no surprise that we are writing this. Kaye Mansell Talley was born Harriette Kaye Mansell (but you best not ever call her Harriette) on September 3, 1948 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kaye passed away the evening of December 26, 2020 at home while her best friend, Chris Talley held her hands. We will not be having a service at this time in order to keep all of our friends and family healthy; a celebration of Kaye's life will be planned for the spring or summer when we can all gather together and raise a glass in her honor. It was Kaye's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the American Heart Association or the Humane Society of Forsyth County.

Kaye was a 1966 graduate of Milton High School in Alpharetta where she sang in the chorus and was on the "Echo" newspaper staff. After graduating, she married the love of her life, Ray Christopher Talley Sr. (Chris) on June 16, 1967 in Alpharetta, Georgia. Kaye showed horses for years before starting a family and one of these horse shows made her late for her first date with Chris. She made her father stop the car at a pay phone on the way home from a show in Alabama to call Chris to let him know she was running late and that he should wait for her, and of course he waited! Kaye and Chris would spend the next 53 years sharing a life and raising a family.

Kaye was a life-long resident of Alpharetta where she had deep family ties and many friends. She worked for Fulton County school system driving a school bus for 21 years, eventually retiring in the Cumming area. She was a second mother to many of her children's friends, and treated them like her own. Her home was filled with pictures of her family and her beloved dogs. Kaye loved to chat about anything and everything, she never met a stranger. She would show photos of all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to anyone and everyone. Her favorite thing to do was tell stories and laugh.

Kaye is preceded in death by her parents Maryann (Dempsey) and Harry K. Mansell of Alpharetta, her grandparents Eugenia (Hood) and Arthur Mansell, and Mozelle (Teasley) & Robert Dempsey all of Alpharetta.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 53 years Ray Christopher Talley Sr., son Ray (Lesley) Talley of Cumming, GA, daughter Stacy (Kevin) Ventresca of Kennesaw, GA, five grandchildren Brandon (Lindsey) Talley, Blake Talley, Hayden Ventresca, Tristan Ventresca, Jonas Ventresca, and two great-grandchildren Connor and Kylyn Talley.

To Brandon Talley, her first grandchild: She loved you fiercely and you never did a single thing wrong in her eyes! You were, and will always be Nanny's baby. Lindsey (Chambers) Talley, she adored you and was so proud of the young lady "Nanny's baby" got to marry. To Connor and Kylyn Talley, you were the great grandchildren she dreamed of and she bragged to everyone she met about the two of you. Now you will have Angel Nanny to watch over you always.
To Hayden Ventresca: You were her first and only granddaughter. You brought laughter, arguments and joy and into her life. She was always so proud of you as she followed your adventures through photos and stories. You inherited your green thumb from her along with your headstrong nature.

To Jonas and Tristan Ventresca: Twin grandsons, oh what a treat for Nanny Kaye! She was there with her daughter the moment she found out twins were coming and she cried tears of joy. One of her favorite things to do was to hold both of you as babies at the same time and then say she couldn't get up because the babies were sleeping.

To Blake Talley: The youngest of the grand babies, she always appreciated your big heart and kind soul. You were always such a happy kid and she was so proud of you and looking forward to you graduating high school next year. She will certainly be cheering for you as the angel on your shoulder.

To Lesley Talley and Kevin Ventresca: A special thanks to you both. Kaye found great comfort in knowing that her two children found their own great loves to go through life with. She loved you both like you were her own kids and we know you felt that every time went Mama Kaye on you! You both added immeasurable joy to her family.