Matushka Jewel Monica Tallant’s Obituary 

Matushka Jewel Monica Tallant was born in Elrod, Alabama on December 24, 1932. She was the

second of four girls born to John and Mattie Bell Boswell.

After her family moved to Birmingham, she attended Paul Hayne High School where she met

and married the love of her life, William Tallant. During their 72 ½ years of marriage they were

blessed with five daughters whom she loved unconditionally and referred to as “My Girls”.

She was a devout, faithful, and obedient handmaiden of God, who loved Christ with her whole

heart, as well as the Orthodox Church and particularly St Nicholas and the parishioners here.

When her husband was ordained to the priesthood, she earned the title of “Matushka” and

was, indeed, a mother to their flock.

She was a self-described “people person” and loved meeting new people, sharing her faith, and

helping others in any way possible. She loved sparkle, bright colors, and gorgeous hats. She was

a true gem who lived up to her name.

Matushka Monica had an entrepreneurial spirit and was an accomplished self-taught

seamstress. She sewed clothes for her daughters including evening gowns. Later she started her

own successful business, Draperies by Jewel.

Sadly, but with hope in the Resurrection, she fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, October 12, 2025

at the age of 92 at St Vincent Hospital in Birmingham, AL. and joined her husband, the Very

Reverend Mitered Archpriest Benedict, who had preceded her in death in 2020. Also

preceding her in death, were her parents and sisters Betty June

Meadows, Norma Jean Downs, Marguarite Goodwin and her son-in-law William McCoy.

She is survived by her five daughters: Dorothy McCoy, Melissa Lewis-Young (Richard), Melanie

Wheeler (Larry), Janelle Davis (Fr. Paul), and Rhonda McCracken (Paul). She is also survived by

13 grandchildren, 29 Great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, to whom she is

“Machen”. She has a host of nieces, nephews, and friends that she treasured and that will miss

her.

Her pall bearers are Douglas Lewis, William Davis, Hank King, William May, Connor May, and Ian Davis. And

Reverend Father Paul Davis, Archpriest Father Michael Dunstan, Father Deacon Eohraim Rivers

officiating.

The schedule of services is: Visitation at Bell Funeral Home, Forestdale beginning at 4:30 for

family and 5 PM for friends on Thursday, October 16 followed by the Parastas at 6PM.

The Order of Burial will be on Friday, October 17 at 10:30 AM at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox

Church in Brookside, AL. She will be interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Jasper, AL where a Parastas

will be served.