Helen Tillman

Helen Tillman

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Services for Ms. Helen Tillman were at 11:00am, Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Milling Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was held in Abney Cemetery. Bro. Thomas Fortenberry and Bro. Rusty Walton will be officiating. 

Visitation was held from 9:30-11:00am, prior to Chapel services on Tuesday.

Ms. Helen Tillman, age 93, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023 at J.G. Alexander Nursing Home.

Helen McBeath Tillman was born on November 19, 1929 in the community of New Ireland, Mississippi. She was the only child of Alexander “Zan” McBeath and Vina Ezelle McBeath.

Helen attended elementary school in New Ireland. She graduated from Union High School in 1947. While attending High School, she was Head Cheerleader, and secretary of her Senior Class. Helen then attended the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education 

Helen spent the next 38 years teaching at various schools in Mississippi. She began her teaching career in Natchez Mississippi. She also taught at Jackson Public Schools, Conehatta, and Union Public Schools. Helen loved teaching and always said “Every child can learn. It may not be what you want them to learn, but they can learn.”    

While teaching in Natchez, Helen met her future husband, Robert Ray “Bob” Tillman. They married on December 27, 1952. In 1955, Helen and Bob moved back to her beloved farm. There they built a home and raised three children.

Helen loved her Lord and began serving at Steam Mill Cumberland Presbyterian church as a Sunday School teacher and Pianist. She also enjoyed teaching at Camp Bailey each summer. After Bob became ill, she decided to move closer to home. She joined New Ireland Baptist church where she once again became a Sunday School Teacher and Pianist. 

Helen was very active in her community. She served for many years on the Kemper-Newton Regional Library board. She enjoyed being a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for over 50 years. She loved her New Ireland Homemaker Club and was active in the Retired Teachers of Newton County. 

Helen loved her family. Being an only child, she always wanted a big family and God blessed her with seven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. She was happiest when surrounded by all of her children. 

Mamaw Helen will be missed, but we know where she is spending eternity. She has been preparing for this day all her life.

Survivors include a daughter, Sheila Rouse (Otto) of Union; two sons, Bobby Tillman (Teresa) of Union and Jimmy Tillman (Renee) of Philadelphia; 7 Grandchildren, Will Rouse (Laura), Anna Abraham (Charlie), Natalie Strickland (Derick), Zan Tillman (Carmen), Yancey Smith (Tyler), Lindsey Lepard (Nathan), and Emily Hamilton (Andrew); and 16 Great-Grandchildren

Ms. Helen Tillman is preceded in death by her husband: Robert R. "Bob" Tillman, and parents: Zan & Vina McBeth.

Pallbearers: Will Rouse, Zan Tillman, Charlie Abraham, Derick Strickland, Tyler Smith, Nathan Lepard, and Andrew Hamilton 






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