Brenda Kae (Beauchamp) Talley

Brenda Kae (Beauchamp) Talley, 73, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away May 5, 2021, at her daughter’s house in Newburgh, Indiana, surrounded by family.  She was born March 14, 1948, in Princeton, Indiana, the daughter of Grant and Mary Lou (Higgins) Beauchamp.  On June 7, 1969, Brenda married Richard L. Talley at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Carmel. 

Mrs. Talley was a lifelong member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  Upon graduating with a M.S. in Education from E.I.U. in 1971, she taught two years in Bradford, Illinois.  She then returned to Mt. Carmel to teach at District #348 until she retired in 2004.  Brenda was a member of Delta Theta Tau and IEA/NEA.  She and Diane Liddle wrote a book on “Power Writing.”  They traveled the Midwest teaching their innovative writing technique and were invited to Vermont for the NEA National Convention to present this technique.

Brenda thoroughly relished playing bridge with her friends, cooking, baking, and interior decorating.  She liked to travel with Rick and their families making special memories on many cruises, including one to the Turks and Caicos.  One very special cruise was in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by the entire family.  Family was Brenda’s greatest love.  Adoring her 3 granddaughters came easy to her.

Left to cherish Brenda’s memory is her husband of 50 years, Rick; children, Joshua Roy (Jill Greminger) Talley of Fulshear, TX and Jenna Mary (Nick) Will of Newburgh, IN; three granddaughters, Rilee Lucille, Addison Louise and Sophia Mary Will of Newburgh, IN; siblings, Ruth Ann (Tony) Bowles of Mt. Carmel and Jeffery Grant (Donna) Beauchamp of Collinsville, IL; brother and sister-in-law, John (Roberta) Talley of Mt. Carmel; four nieces, Julie Bowles Litherland of Ponchatoula, LA, Katie and Elizabeth Beauchamp of St. Peters, MO, Joanna Beauchamp of Collinsville, IL; three nephews, Nate Bowles of Mt. Carmel, Brian (Jamie) Talley of Washington, IL, and Brent Talley of Mt. Carmel; three great-nieces, Jessi (Lucas) Woodford and Kayla Litherland (Ryan her fiancé) of Newburgh, IN, and Clare Talley of Washington, IL; two great-nephews, Sam and Will Talley of Washington, IL; and a great great-niece, Landree Woodford of Newburgh, IN.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents and two infant grandchildren, Ethan and Aubrey Talley.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, May 16, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Short Funeral Home (527 N. Mulberry Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois).  Family will receive friends on Sunday, May 16, 2021, from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. 

Please enter through the garage.

COVID-19 precautions, wearing of face coverings, social distancing and use of hand sanitizer is recommended.

Memorials can be made to NephCure Kidney International, St. Jude’s Hospital, Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, or MD Anderson.  Envelopes will be available at Short Funeral Home (P.O. Box 397, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863) or online through Short’s website.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Brenda’s family.

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