Obituary for Michael Edward Tallent
Michael Edward Tallent, 72, of Athens passed away on Saturday, February 12,
2022 at U.T. Medical Center in Knoxville. Mike was born December 9, 1949 to the
late Curtiss Edward and Barbara Loftis Tallent. He was a lifelong resident of
McMinn County and was a 1967 graduate of McMinn County High School. He
received his BS Degree in Business from Tennessee Technological University and
continued graduate studies at the University of Tennessee in Business
Management.
Mike served proudly in the United States Army from 1970 to 1973, where he
worked with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. and Maryland.
On June 23, 1973 he was united in marriage to Sheila (Ray) Tallent, his beloved
wife of 48 years. They were blessed with one daughter, Laura. He was a current
member and former elder for many years at Athens Church of Christ. He had a
strong faith and truly dedicated his life to serving God and others. Throughout his
life, if he perceived a need, he wanted and tried to help.
After a short career in teaching at the State Area Vocational School, he began his
40 year career as a banker. He worked at First National Bank and went on to
become a Vice President at Athens Federal. He enjoyed banking and the
opportunities it gave him to advise and serve others. Upon retirement from
banking, he enjoyed a part-time sales role at East Tennessee Auto Outlet.
In his retirement years, he has enjoyed spending time with family, working on the
cabin, checking on friends and spending time on the farm communing with God
and nature.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Curtiss and Barbara Tallent (Williams);
grandparents, Mamie and Tom Loftis and Elizabeth and Clyde Tallent.
Left behind to cherish his memory are Mike's wife, Sheila Tallent; daughter and
son-in-law, Laura and Bill Holaday; adored granddaughter, Nora Kate (Peanut)
Holaday, all of Knoxville; sister, Cathy (Joe) Hooper of Ooltewah; brother, Brian
(Beth) Tallent of Franklin; sister-in-law, Susan (Philip) Womack of Athens;
brother-in-law, David (Sharon) Ray of Athens; nieces, Jennifer (Allen) Peters of
Ooltewah, Katy Tallent of Franklin; nephews, Matt (Jennifer) Ray and Adam (Katie)
Ray all of Athens; aunt, Barbara Keith of Cleveland; great niece, Raegan Peters;
great nephews, Maddox and Mason Ray; and many beloved cousins.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 19, 2022
in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Minister Mark Littleton, Minister Tim
Gunnells, and Philip Womack officiating. Interment will follow in McMinn
Memory Gardens with Military Honors at the graveside. The family will receive
friends from 10:30 am-12:30 pm Saturday at the funeral home prior to the
service. Covid precautions are strongly encouraged by the family. In lieu of
flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Athens Church of Christ or a
charity of your choice.
Pallbearers will be Brian Tallent, David Ray, Bill Holaday, Allen Peters, Chris Stone,
and Brandon Watters.
2022 at U.T. Medical Center in Knoxville. Mike was born December 9, 1949 to the
late Curtiss Edward and Barbara Loftis Tallent. He was a lifelong resident of
McMinn County and was a 1967 graduate of McMinn County High School. He
received his BS Degree in Business from Tennessee Technological University and
continued graduate studies at the University of Tennessee in Business
Management.
Mike served proudly in the United States Army from 1970 to 1973, where he
worked with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. and Maryland.
On June 23, 1973 he was united in marriage to Sheila (Ray) Tallent, his beloved
wife of 48 years. They were blessed with one daughter, Laura. He was a current
member and former elder for many years at Athens Church of Christ. He had a
strong faith and truly dedicated his life to serving God and others. Throughout his
life, if he perceived a need, he wanted and tried to help.
After a short career in teaching at the State Area Vocational School, he began his
40 year career as a banker. He worked at First National Bank and went on to
become a Vice President at Athens Federal. He enjoyed banking and the
opportunities it gave him to advise and serve others. Upon retirement from
banking, he enjoyed a part-time sales role at East Tennessee Auto Outlet.
In his retirement years, he has enjoyed spending time with family, working on the
cabin, checking on friends and spending time on the farm communing with God
and nature.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Curtiss and Barbara Tallent (Williams);
grandparents, Mamie and Tom Loftis and Elizabeth and Clyde Tallent.
Left behind to cherish his memory are Mike's wife, Sheila Tallent; daughter and
son-in-law, Laura and Bill Holaday; adored granddaughter, Nora Kate (Peanut)
Holaday, all of Knoxville; sister, Cathy (Joe) Hooper of Ooltewah; brother, Brian
(Beth) Tallent of Franklin; sister-in-law, Susan (Philip) Womack of Athens;
brother-in-law, David (Sharon) Ray of Athens; nieces, Jennifer (Allen) Peters of
Ooltewah, Katy Tallent of Franklin; nephews, Matt (Jennifer) Ray and Adam (Katie)
Ray all of Athens; aunt, Barbara Keith of Cleveland; great niece, Raegan Peters;
great nephews, Maddox and Mason Ray; and many beloved cousins.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 19, 2022
in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Minister Mark Littleton, Minister Tim
Gunnells, and Philip Womack officiating. Interment will follow in McMinn
Memory Gardens with Military Honors at the graveside. The family will receive
friends from 10:30 am-12:30 pm Saturday at the funeral home prior to the
service. Covid precautions are strongly encouraged by the family. In lieu of
flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Athens Church of Christ or a
charity of your choice.
Pallbearers will be Brian Tallent, David Ray, Bill Holaday, Allen Peters, Chris Stone,
and Brandon Watters.