Alesia (Tally) Annette Butler McNelley

Alesia Annette (Tally) Butler McNelley was born on Christmas Day 1961. She was special from the beginning. Tally finally beat her battle with cancer with dignity and grace on July 10, 2024 and went home to be with the Lord. She lived her entire life in Ten Mile, a community she loved. She is survived by loving husband Jeff, mother Mable Butler, sister and brother in law Tammie and Fred Melhorn, niece and nephew Annie and John Tally Melhorn, step daughter Brittany-Bryan Saffles, grandson Raylan, special aunt Francis Heiskell, and several special cousins that she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her father Sterling Neil Butler, in-laws Charles and Mary McNelley, grandparents Sam and Grace Butler, WB and Annie Armour, and several aunts and uncles.

A graduate of Meigs County High School and Roane State Community College, she was employed at K-25 Oak Ridge Facility for 11 years and VEC as an executive assistant, for 24 years, retiring in 2021. She made many life-long friends at these places.

Tally loved wholeheartedly and always showed kindness and compassion to her family, friends, and everyone she met. She had a special bond with John Tally and Annie, she was their precious Aunt TT. Tally enjoyed spending time on the lake, traveling, and cheering on the UT Vols. A loyal servant of God, she was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School, Bible School, and wrote and directed many church Christmas plays. Ten Mile Ladies Prayer Group, with a special group of friends, was the highlight of her week and a great support system throughout these trying times. Even while dealing with her own health issues, Tally was a wonderful caregiver to her parents.

Her earthly journey is over, but her legacy of love and kindness lives on. She is now pain free and in the arms of Jesus. 

A special thank you to all the family and friends who have been so supportive during this time, Dr. Shane Roberts and staff, Dr. Isbach, East Tennessee Cancer Specialists, Sarah Cox RN Case Manager, and Parkwest CCU doctors and nurses.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Knox Area Rescue Ministries c/o 418 N Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37403, Chattanooga Area Food Bank c/o 2009 Curtain Pole Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37406, and the Chatt Foundation c/o 727 E. 11th St. Chattanooga, TN 37403.

Funeral Services will be 3:00 PM Sunday, July 14, 2024 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Ten Mile with Rev. Curtis Porter and Rev. Mike Couch. Interment will follow at Butler-Reed Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 PM prior to the service at the church. Active Pallbearers will be Fred Melhorn, John Tally Melhorn, Bruce Denmark, Kevin Butler, Sammy Norton, and Tim Cooper

Those unable to attend may send condolences to https://www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/alesia-tally-butler-mcnelley.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens is in charge of the arrangements