By Jennifer L. Warren
NEWBURGH – The soft, assured voice echoed throughout the confines of the Town of Newburgh’s Mt. Carmel Church of Christ Disciples of Christ Friday evening; while hundreds of attentive guests imbibed every morsel of wisdom filling the airwaves.
“This is all about my people who did things for me,” affirmed the woman, “Mother” Sadie Tallie, delivering the magnetic, recorded words. “We need to be there for our children, all of our children; it’s just what we have to all do.”
The profound words were part of the initiating segment, a one-on-one interview, broadcasted during the Church-packed Homecoming Celebration for an iconic City of Newburgh woman, Tallie, who passed away September 25, 2025, at the still very active, involved age of 92. While Tallie continued to confidently and succinctly answer queries about some of the deeper lessons inherent in life, mined from her impressive journey, authentic images of the woman, equipped with a huge heart that made anyone she interacted with feel special, along with passions for truth and righteousness, as well as unequivocal devotion to God (“a soldier in God’s army), family and community, were cast upon a large screen. Many of those treasured photographs, encapsulating a “life well lived,” included family, friends and Church members alongside her.
“God is there, that’s real,” affirmed Tallie, a 58 year member of Mount Carmel Church, about her unwavering faith. “God is aware of all you can do; God has already chosen you.”
There were also moments of the trademark sharp wit unraveled by Tallie, a long-time Newburgh resident, a place she dubbed her “true home.” It was more than just a residence to Tallie, but a place she envisioned and arduously fought to make one of diversity, tolerance, community, hope and much more. That long journey to leave her community better than she found it was rooted in political activism. The Executive Director of the Coalition for People’s Rights for 25 years, one of the founders behind the Black History Committee of the Hudson Valley as well as the Empower Women of Hope, and devoted NAACP member, Tallie’s name and presence could be seen and deeply felt on a wide ensemble of unifying, community groups, often aimed at ensuring civil rights.
A firm believer in the potency of education as well as the untapped power of our youth, Tallie’s indelible marks on them were vast and profoundly transformative. Taking many under her tutelage, guiding them towards careers in law, medicine and education, she was revered for her no-nonsense approach, deep convictions and the shining example she provided whenever in their presence.
Creating the R.A.C.E. (Religious Awareness and Cultural Expression) summer camp, Tallie’s outreach to the youth knew no boundaries. One of her many “students,” Pastor Michael Deron McLamb, who had the privilege to be impacted for many years by all Tallie encompassed, delivered remarks, laden with emotion, during the Celebration service.
“She showed me about honor; she lived by the word, and told us to do the same in every aspect of our lives,” recalled McLamb, who Tallie helped coach through his First Orational Speech, something he ended up winning. “She transformed me to a leader that others respected; she listened to my doubts and fears, never dismissing them, but not allowing me to give into them, and she showed me true leadership is about serving others.”
As hundreds were mesmerized, absorbing each of the personal pearls mined from a Tallie relationship were revealed, McLamb paused to contain his emotion, reflecting further, on his mentor’s-in some ways- inexplicable, irreplaceable footprint, not just on his life, but countless others.’
“She was there for me at the most pivotal moments of my spiritual journey; her love will continue to flow through me to others, and her spirit lives on in every life she touched,” said McLamb. “We are forever grateful and blessed by her; may we live by her example-leadership, community service, and love.” The visibly touched McLamb concluded, “I salute you Mother Tallie; ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’”
All signs of that light and enduring legacy continuing to illuminate rippled throughout the over three hour Celebration. That torch of responsibility, no doubt, will be handed off to the numerous people she inspired.
“We will continue to fight the good fight,” one of Tallie’s long-time friends, Dottie Golson assured those in attendance. “No justice, no peace.”
