Sherman, Texas -- Jerri Kay Talley, 68, of McKinney, Texas, passed away, July 19, 2026 at her home after a brief illness. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2026 at Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church in Sherman, with Dr. Lander Bethel officiating.

Kay, as she was known by family, was born on Monday, December 2, 1957, in Gainesville, Texas to Rita and Jerry Talley, and joined sister Jan to complete this loving family of four. Rita always said that this baby, regardless of gender, would be named Jerry, after our dad. Jerri Kay was proud of that fact and insisted on being called Jerri or Jerri Kay.

Only ten days later, Kay and our family moved to Sherman, Texas, where she grew up attending Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church, thriving in Sherman's Public Schools and making many close and lasting friendships along the way.

My sister, Kay, loved making people laugh and her laugh was infectious! Even as a baby, her laughter could light up the whole room. Her impersonations of people and subjects were truly comical genius! She loved photography and took many photos of family and friends over the years. In fact, it's hard to find photos of Kay because she was the one who took them all! Her love for animals, especially dogs, was so strong that her favorite saying was, "I would rather be with dogs than people." And, most of all, she loved to sing! Her voice was captivating! About church, Jerri Kay was truly spiritual. It was deeply spiritually unusual for children her age. It was as if she knew something the rest of us didn't. Her love for her family and friends was her greatest passion.

"Back-in-the-day", Kindergarten was not a part of the public-school experience, so after attending Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church's Kindergarten, Kay began her public-school journey by attending Wakefield Elementary in Sherman. There the music teacher recognized that Kay had an extraordinary singing voice and encouraged her growth. We moved during this time to the Fairview Elementary school district but Kay wanted to stay at Wakefield. After some "negotiation" with our parents she stayed and that was that.

Kay attended Dillingham Junior High School and graduated from Sherman High School in May of 1976. While at SHS she was actively involved in Choir, Advanced Girls Choir, Pep Squad and Student Council. Upon graduation, Jerri Kay enrolled in Grayson County College where she was inspired to become a teacher.

After leaving GCC she attended North Texas State University, now known as University of Texas, where she received her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education thus beginning an over 25-year career in education teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades in Sanger, Texas, Princeton, Texas and finally at Blue Ridge Elementary School in Blue Ridge, Texas. Along the way she made many friends and inspired many children with extensive knowledge, wit and charm.

Preceded in death by her father, Jerry L. Talley, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Jerri Kay is survived by her husband, Carlos Iturrino and his children, Anna and Carmen, mother, Rita Pierce Talley, sister, Jan Saffa and husband Richard, nephew Jordan Stewart and spouse Maurice, niece Jillian Stewart, and a host of cousins, and friends.

Memorials in memory of Jerri Kay may be made to: Second Chance SPCA, 1700 J Avenue, Plano, Texas 75074 or Animal Refuge Foundation - ARFhouse, 3377 Spalding Road, Sherman, Texas 75092.

"The song has ended, but the melody lingers on."
-- Irving Berlin