Eula Fern Tally Martin, age 99 years, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Missouri.  She was born to George C. Tally and Mina S. Greenwell Tally on April 20, 1914, at Tally Bend in St. Clair County, Mo. and lived her entire life in St. Clair County or Henry County.  Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton, Missouri.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in Calhoun Cemetery, Calhoun, Missouri.  The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Nazarene Church or the Clinton Senior Center, and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.


Fern was married to Clyde Cook, her childhood sweetheart, on October 30, 1931, and to this marriage two sons were born.  She was predeceased by her husband, Clyde, on February 11, 1969, and by their son, Duane Cook, on June 29, 1992. Surviving are their second son, Dale Cook of California, and his daughter, Sherry Lyons (Brian) of Japan, and their children Nicole, Heather and Sean. Dale's second daughter, Terry Dewey, survives also as do her children, Chad, Derrick, and Elaine. Duane's first son, Craig, lives in Indiana. His sons are Eric and Christopher. Duane's second son, Michael (Kerri) lives in North Carolina and his children are Kyle, Kristina, and Rachel.

On October 6, 1970, Fern was married to Richard L. Smith. His first wife, Ruth, was not just Fern's sister-in-law, but also her very close friend. Ruth had died just three weeks before her brother, Clyde, who was Fern's first husband. Turning to each other in mourning and for strength and companionship, this brother-in-law and sister-in-law relationship soon turned to love and marriage. Her new grandchildren, who were already nieces and nephews, embraced the "Grandma Aunt Fern" idea, which is what they called her from that day to this. Though their marriage was brief, Fern and Rich were very happy starting their new life together entertaining family and friends, including their card club. Very unexpectedly, he died on March 21, 1971, so soon leaving her a widow again. His children now deceased are Mary Fern Mansfield and Kenneth R. Smith, and his surviving children are Martha Lowe and Roy Alan Smith, both of Clinton. Richard's grandchildren number 9 living and 2 deceased, his great-grandchildren 26 living and 1 deceased.

After working seven more years with her beauty shop, Fern married Frank Martin in 1978.  Both newly retired, they happily moved into his new home. They enjoyed going on bus trips and frequenting garage sales. They also very much enjoyed the Joppa Sunday School Class of Drakes Chapel and their monthly dinner meetings. Having taught this class early on and for many years was a fond highlight of her life. Their house was always open to family and friends.  Sadly, on December 17, 1985, Fern lost yet another husband. Frank's children, both surviving, are Judy Martin of Clinton and Paul Martin (Janice) and their son, Evan, of Virginia.

Siblings predeceasing her in death were Mattie Wirsig, Glenister Tally, and Edwin Tally. Her sister-in-law, Irene Tally, still resides in Clinton. She leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and a grand host of friends.

Clyde and Fern were farmers in the Deer Creek Community for their entire 39 years of marriage. He also represented Henry County Mutual Insurance Company, and she was co-owner and hairdresser at Beauty Nook for 20 years. Fern accepted Christ into her life at age 11, was baptized in Tebo Creek and made a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. Drake's Chapel Methodist was her church home for 55 years. She was an active member the Church of the Nazarene and Christian Women's Club, and the Nazarene Women's Bible Study, who have continued to meet in here home weekly throughout the last years of her life. She served many years with NARFP, National Association of Retired Federal People.

Fern had an exceptional capacity to appreciate and enjoy everything. Always up for a "get-together", she was often heard to say, "I just don't know when I've had such a good time!

Throughout her life, Fern suffered many sorrows, disappointments, loss of countless friends and family members, including three husbands and a son, and also serious illnesses of her own. It was her tremendous faith, her attitude of gratitude over all, and her determination that pulled her through. She was always thankful for doctors and medicine and made herself aware of how to live a healthy lifestyle. When asked in recent years just how she had lived such a long and victorious life, Fern's response was generally ,"I give all the glory and praise to the Lord."