Talmadge Habel Yeatts Sr. of Rice, VA, age 83, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 16, 2017. Talmadge was preceded in death by his parents, David Gilmore Yeatts and Ella Dalton Yeatts; and his siblings, Jim Yeatts, Lula Ashman, Raymond Yeatts, David Junior Yeatts, and Daniel Yeatts. He is survived by his wife, Mary Yeatts, his children, Midge Yeatts and his wife Susan Yeatts, and Gail Cave and her husband Mark Cave, four grandchildren, Sarah Cave Privette, Charlotte Cave, Lexie Yeatts, and Tal Yeatts III, and siblings, Jesse Yeatts and Peggy Munden.

Talmadge attended Rice High School and enlisted in the United States Navy at age 18. After serving his country aboard the USS Roanoke for four years, he came home to Rice, VA to help his father on the tobacco farm. In 1957, he married his loving wife of almost 61 years, Mary Agness Blake of Buckingham, VA. During his lifetime, Tal was dedicated to providing for his family by working several demanding jobs. He was the Director of the PepsiCola Warehouse in Farmville, VA for 18 years, and he served as the Director of Aramark Catering for Longwood University for 25 years until he retired in 1997. Talmadge was a generous, compassionate, hard-working man who was loved by all who knew him. His infectious laugh and big heart truly made this world a better place, and he will be dearly missed.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Shorter Funeral Home, 1905 South Main Street, Farmville, VA 23901, followed by an interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens. Family received friends on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at Shorter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pisgah Baptist Church, 202 Pisgah Church Rd, Rice, VA 23966 or the Rice Volunteer Fire Department, 948 Rices Depot Rd, Rice, VA 23966.

Shorter Funeral Home is serving the family.