Carla Talley
Carla Adkinson Talley went to be with Jesus on September 2, 2026, after a 3-year struggle with lupus. She was also met in heaven by her grandchildren lost in miscarriage.
Born on July 9, 1966, in Cuthbert, Georgia, to Reverend Lewis and Judy Adkinson, Carla lived a life characterized by deep faith, quiet strength, and unwavering love for her family. She graduated from Liberty University, and married the love of her life, Darren Talley. They served together as missionaries in South Korea and Trinidad. They planted Gateway Church in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina and served the Lord there for 15 years. For the past three years, she served the ladies of Chinese Bible Church of NC. While serving, Carla was an ESL teacher to many students from around the world.
Her greatest joy was her walk with Jesus, and how she could be His hands and feet to her family and others, especially her grandchildren. Her life was a living testament to the verse Colossians 3:12: "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Carla reflected Christ’s love to everyone she met.
She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Darren Talley; her parents, Lewis and Judy Adkinson, her children, Brandon Talley (wife Sarah) and Dylan Talley (wife Jordan); and her five cherished grandchildren, Abel, Solomon, Hazel, and Boaz, and an unnamed baby girl soon to be born, her parents-in-law, Wayne and Sue Talley, her sister-in-law Cherae (husband Dennis), and treasured nieces and nephews. Carla is also survived by her and Darren's adopted son while in Trinidad, Keon Brytson (wife Gabriella), and their children Ellianna and Maisy (Carla) Brytson. She also has other adopted children, Young Sol (wife Lucy), Esther (husband Dong Yong), Jack and Sang Je from South Korea. Carla also has many sisters in the Lord that are very dear to her, and are too numerous to list.
A celebration of Carla’s life and homegoing will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Penny Road Church of the Nazarene in Raleigh, NC with a visitation beforehand at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Isaiah 117 House, or a local church mission fund of your choice.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” — Matthew 25:21