Berta Mae Tillman

Berta Mae Tillman passed away at Coble Health Center, Twin Lakes on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, after months of declining health. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Ernest F. Tillman; three brothers, Ed Wilson, C. D. Wilson, and Ray Wilson; and infant granddaughter Julie Ann Pleasants. Berta Mae was born on July 11, 1925, to the late Paul Alexander Wilson and Ruby Phillips Wilson. She was the oldest of seven and grew up in a simple rural setting where she, alongside her mother, shared responsibility for six younger brothers. She graduated from Bonlee High School and worked for many years at A.J. Schnierson and Son in Siler City. She was a longtime member of Moon's Chapel Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and was Director of WMU and a member of the choir. Her family and friends were very important to her. She was an accomplished cook and always had a dish in hand when visiting friends and neighbors. Her pastimes were golf, which she enjoyed with her husband, as well as gardening and flower arranging. She had a wonderful sense of humor and wry wit which we all enjoyed. She had a special relationship with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who kept her young at heart. Cherishing memories of a wonderful life are two daughters, Linda Pleasants and husband David of Greensboro and Becky Oliver and husband Tommy of Gibsonville; one son, Mike Tillman of Ramseur; her grandchildren, David Pleasants III, Lisa Pleasants, Christie Pleasants-Heffner and Meredith Hargett; three surviving brothers, Ralph Wilson of Siler City and Arthur Wilson and Jerry Wilson of Bear Creek; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her great grandchildren are Nina and Lyric Pleasants, Athena and Saiona Braman-Pleasants, Georgia Heffner and Landon Michael. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Alamance House in Burlington, where she was a resident for almost two years, and also to Michele, Gwen, Tom and Rhonda of Coble Health Center, Twin Lakes, Elon for your loving care and compassion to our mother. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, at Moon's Chapel Baptist Church, with a celebration of life service beginning at 3:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of Moon's Chapel Baptist Church, 175 Moon's Chapel Road, Siler City, NC 27344. Smith and Buckner Funeral Home are assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com