Fern (Rader) Tallent

Fern Tallent, 93, of Poplar Bluff died Monday, May 25, 2015 at The Chateau Girardeau, in Cape Girardeau.

Mrs. Tallent was born Dec. 5, 1921 in Ashland, Kans. to the late Oscar and Mabel Campbell Rader. She completed her undergraduate degree in education at Southeast Missouri State University and received her Master's Degree from Drury College. Mrs. Tallent retired from teaching after 30 years in the classroom. She also served as a substitute teacher and helped at various schools with first grade reading. Mrs. Tallent was a member of First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff; was a former member of the Red Hat Society in Pensacola, Fla.; and was a former volunteer at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. She was known by many as a coffee snob, and was well received at blood donation mobile sites for her wonderful brownies. Mrs. Tallent loved to spend time with her family, read, and cook. One of her greatest joys was her marriage to her husband, Ora and raising her children.

On June 25, 1942, she married Ora T. Tallent. He preceded her in death in 1985.

Survivors include seven children: Rex (Anne) Tallent of Temecula, Calif., Carmen Robertson of Cape Girardeau, Mabel Reeves (Joe) Swink of Farmington, Jeff (Michelle) Tallent of Edmund, Okla., Jennie (Ken) Boyes of Pensacola, Fla., Ham (Monika) Tallent of Escondido, Calif., and Steve (Phyllis) Tallent of Atlanta, Ga.; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one grandson, Tim Bauman that she was especially close to.

A son, Grayson, a sister, Laura, and three brothers, Bill, Bob and George also preceded her in death.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. in the church chapel with Rev. David Huck officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cook Cemetery in Scopus, Mo.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 500 North Main St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.