TALLEY, Aline

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 09/14/2012 Aline Talley died peacefully Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. She was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Blue. Aline lived a life most fiction authors could only dream of writing, but truth is often more interesting than fiction and Aline’s history and legacy is one for the records. She was actually born with the name Clara Kathleen to Ossie Mitchell and Palicio Smith. When she was an infant her mother became ill and she was adopted by Felisita and Joe Morgan, ranchers, who named her Aline and raised her in the small New Mexico town of Alma. She was brought up with a love for horses, ranching and nature, which remained constant passions throughout her nearly 85 years on Earth. The rancher’s daughter with red hair, brown eyes and a spirited nature became a beautiful woman, who lived to love, laugh and experience life’s highest highs and lowest lows. She married young to her first husband, Leonard Cordell, and together they brought two handsome sons into the world, Bob and Garry. Aline and Leonard divorced and she later married, Cotton Estes, a craftsman, meat cutter and horseman. Together they worked, rodeoed and raised a beautiful family, but she was left a widow in the mid ‘70s when Cotton passed of Leukemia. Following Cotton’s death, she married George Talley, with whom she shared the next 35 years, living in various places across the northwest to include Roseville, Calif., Victor, Mont. and Reserve, N.M. Together, they drove thousands of miles across the country visiting and caring for friends, family and the frequent stranger who quickly became a friend. Garry, Aline’s youngest son, passed in the mid ‘90s, and being the supportive parents they were, Aline and George moved to Reserve to be near Garry’s children and their mother, Connie, to help provide a loving and nurturing environment for Morgan and Whitney. Her heart was broken yet again, when three years ago, George suddenly passed, leaving Aline at a loss without her best friend, George, and with her own health declining. Despite many tragedies, Aline lived, laughed and loved stronger than most, ensuring her legacy will live forever. Aline is survived by her son, Bob Cordell (Joni); daughter-in-law Connie (Ed) Wehrheim; stepchildren: Jimmy Estes, David Talley and Leanne Talley; grandchildren: Tiffany (Chris) Travis, Morgan Cordell (Kristine), Whitney Cordell, Jodi Rae Crisman, Courtney Estes, Stephen Estes, Dean Talley and Cody Hukkenen; great grandchildren: Sky, Dalton, Pierce, Cassie and Kadence and countless friends throughout the country, many of whom called her, “mom,” “grandma,” or “grammie.” She was preceded in death by her husbands, Cotton Estes and George Talley, son Garry Cordell, stepson Donny Estes and grandsons: Jace Cordell and Ryan Estes. When Aline wasn’t being a mom or a grandmother to so many, she was painting, quilting, reading, cooking, gambling (she loved the slots), decorating, writing, gardening, clipping Bonsai trees, or watching her beloved birds, while wearing her signature sun hats. Taking long nature walks with her grandchildren to spot the Robin’s red breast, or the Kildee’s nest, or the Mountain Bluebird’s magnificent colors were often the most precious memories she held closest to her heart. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Aline Talley’s memory to the National Audubon Society or the American Diabetes Association. A memorial service for Aline will take place this spring in Roseville, where her ashes will be laid to rest.