Jeffrey Martin Talley

In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Martin Talley

If you knew Jeff, you probably have a story about him. Maybe it involves a broken shoulder, a perfectly smoked Boston butt, or aviator Ray-Bans on the North Newport River. Maybe you remember his jolly laugh, the shortest running shorts you’ve ever seen, or his ability to turn any conversation into a financial advisement session.

Whatever your story is, one thing is for certain: Jeff Talley was joy.

Jeffrey Martin Talley, 69, of Richmond Hill, Georgia, passed away peacefully in his home on September 24, 2026.

Born on September 3, 1957 in Lagrange, GA, Jeff was the son of Martin Earl and Marjorie Gibbs Talley. Over the course of his life, Jeff wore many hats—copier salesman, part-time fisherman, fraternity treasurer, and mediocre garage band guitarist—but his favorites, by far, were husband, daddy, pawpaw, son, brother, and friend.

When he wasn’t at his grandparents’ tobacco farm in Ty Ty, Georgia, Jeff was in Macon, where he graduated from Tattnall Square Academy in 1975. After a brief time at Macon Junior College, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern. In Statesboro, he met the love of his life and forged many lifelong connections through his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. After college, he was hired for his first job, selling copiers for Acme Business Products. Though there were transitions and acquisitions, Jeff never left his company. He happily and loyally retired in 2021 after 41 years of hard work and service.

Jeff had a way of making people feel at home. He was the ultimate caretaker and loyal almost to a fault. He loved his charcoal Weber grill, the inter-coastal waterways, and the Georgia Bulldogs. All these things aside, he was especially passionate about his family; he was a momma’s boy through and through, a fierce protector of his baby sister, and the greatest provider for his wife and kids.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Sandy Talley, with whom he shared 46 years of life and love; his children, Michael Talley and Morgan (Nathan) Miller; his grandchildren, FayeLynn Talley and Elias Miller; his sister, Elaine (David) Taylor; his siblings-in-law, Melinda Talley, Rich (Julie) Brannan, Carol Sue Brannan; and beloved extended family, Evanne Floyd, Christy (Jerry) Mears Bargeron, Richard (Myra) Hanner, Alan (Debbie) Powell, John (Dixie) Kasmark, Ron (Holly) Vandegrift, his brothers at Delta Tau Delta, his Acme/IKON/Ricoh family, and countless more friends whom he was lucky to call family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Marjorie Talley; and his brother Robert Talley.

Jeff lived a life full of love, and he left this world a better place simply because he was in it.

We love you, Jeff. We’ll miss you terribly.

Services will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 12:00pm at Richmond Hill Funeral Home. Visitation from 11:00am-12:00pm will precede formal service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers or The Waterfront Church, or that you simply do something meaningful in Jeff’s memory—hug someone you love, share a meal, or take a trip.

The family also wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Gentiva Hospice and Kaila Kelley for their compassionate care and comfort provided during Jeff's final days.