In a small log cabin alongside a creek in Killeen Texas, on June 30, 1930, a wonderful woman was born, Imogene Josephine Talley. She was the third of seven children born to the late Thomas Chester “TC” Talley and the late Lily Dale Mayfield Talley. On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, her journey here on earth completed the last mile.
A celebration service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Apostolic Lighthouse Tabernacle Church, officiated by the Rev. Joe Barnhill and the Rev. Michael Fennell.
Burial will be held at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Everett, Washington on December 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by the Rev. Michael Fennell. At a young age she joined her younger brother for short time working on the carnival.
While working with the carnival she was introduced to Wayne Fennell who would later become her husband of 46 years. Shortly after marriage they both left the carnival and she stayed at home, in Vernon, Texas while he went to work driving trucks. While searching for something missing in her life, she began to realize that she had gone away from what she had been taught by her mother, which was having God and daily prayer in her life.
She began looking for a church to attend that would have the presence of God and teachings to help fill that void. On November 20, 1952, during a revival at the United Pentecostal Church in Vernon, Texas, Imogene and the rest of her family attended service. She came with “a hunger in her heart” and it was there at the altar where she was met by God, who became her Savior, and changed her life forever.
That night she received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and 2 days later baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus. Together with her husband she began a new walk, and started what became a lifetime of faith, belief, and prayer that God would supply all their needs. Along with her family they relocated to California where her husband received his ministerial license to fulfill the call of God on his life.
She first became a pastor’s wife in the 60’s when her husband started his ministry of a new church for six years. After moving several times through the years her husband accepted the pastorate in Great Falls, Montana at the United Pentecostal Church in 1974. She worked alongside her husband in the ministry for eighteen years in the church.
In 1994, her husband, of forty-six years, Rev. Wayne Fennell passed away. She moved to Laurinburg, North Carolina in 1997, where she resided until her passing.
Imogene was also preceded in death by two sons, Clay Fennell and Carl Fennell; two brothers, Monroe Talley, and Melvin Talley; and one sister, Ona Payne. She was a prayer warrior, never afraid to witness to anyone who would listen, and was an encourager to many. God was always number one in her life and the one she depended on for her needs and those of others around her.
She was always an avid reader of the Bible daily and continued a very strong prayer life. She traveled to many states, as well as internationally, her saying was “have ticket will fly”. Through the years she took on many hats as well as pastor’s wife, including: housekeeper at the Everett General Hospital in Everett, WA, caregiver through Easter Seals in Great Falls, MT, and throughout her life a seamstress.
She enjoyed sewing, reading, and especially story-telling of her past experiences and her family. Mom, Grandma, Nana, Sister, Friend, thank you for being such an inspiration to so many, full of faith, and an example of a worshipper of God. Her daily walk with God was always the example of what she was known to say in testimony, “It’s still joy unspeakable and full of glory”.
We are going to miss you dearly, but you will forever continue to remain in our hearts and memories. She leaves to cherish her memories, four children: Rev. Michael Fennell (Ruth) of Grand Forks, ND, Dalene Barnhill (Rev.
Joe) of Laurinburg, Suson Crawford (Steven) of Granbury, TX, and Allon “Sam” Fennell (Cindy) of Marysville, WA; ten grandchildren: David Fennell (Heather), Tonya Denny (Richard), Wayne Fennell (Lori), Mindy Ybarra (Rodney), Jason Crawford, Carlena Barnhill, Allon Fennell, Shannan Crawford, Anthony Barnhill, Christina Harpin (Brandon),and; twelve great-grandchildren: Shae, Katelyn, Alexis, Maggie, Madeline, Chaz, Chandler, Josh, Ella, Bethany, Lexie, and Elleora; two great great-grandchildren Pressley and Evaleah; three brothers, Charles Talley, Roy Talley, and Melvin Talley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family will receive friends Friday, November 9, 2018 at McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium of Laurinburg is serving the Fennell family. Online condolences can be made at www.
mcdougald.com.
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