Phyllis Marselle Stewart Tallent

The incomparable, irreplaceable Phyllis Marselle Stewart Tallent was born on May 10, 1938, in the glorious mountains of western North Carolina, the youngest of Sam and Katy Stewart’s nine children. She grew up on West Buffalo Creek in Graham County, which remained her happy place until her death.

Marselle loved porch rockers, thrift stores, ice cream, coffee, and singing aloud, especially "You are My Sunshine" and "Shall We Gather at the River.” She loved her family. She was spirited and passionate and courageous, had perfect comedic timing, and had no problem raising her voice to the heavens when unhappy. She lived a rich and full life and died on November 15, 2023, at her home in Maryville, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Bob Tallent; daughters Melanie Tallent and Debbie Tallent; parents Sam and Katy Stewart; brothers Russell Stewart, Henry Stewart, Gerald Stewart, Perry Stewart, Ray Stewart, and Ross Stewart; sister Betty Kate Small; and beloved aunt Essie Randall.

She is survived by daughter Marcia Tallent; daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Mark Coleman; son and daughter-in-law Kyle and Penny Tallent; son Jeff Tallent; son Mark Tallent; granddaughter and her husband Sarah and Bryan Dennis; grandson and his wife Neil and Isabella Coleman; grandson Brad Tallent; grandson and his wife Andrew and Kristen Coleman: grandson Aaron Smith; granddaughter Cara Coleman; grandson Samuel Coleman; grandson Ben Tallent; great-grandchildren Arlo Smith, Charlotte Coleman, and Thomas Coleman; step-granddaughter and end-of-life caregiver Jessica Williams; sister Nell Sanders James; special relatives and friends David Nicholson, Donna Orr, Charlotte Sellers, Wanda McDonell, Betty Sue Harwell, Sandra and Lamar Carver, Joyce Lee, Norma Garner, and her best friend since grade school, Leota Wilcox; along with many others too numerous to name.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00PM, Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Cedar Cliff Baptist Church, Robbinsville, NC with a service at 2:00 PM and Rev. Daniel Stewart officiating. Marselle will be laid to rest in her family cemetery, next to her beloved husband Bob, in the most beautiful place on earth: the Stewart farm on West Buffalo Creek.

In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association.