Statesboro, Ga. — Mr. Donald W. Tillery, age 73, passed away Wednesday morning, July 4th, 2018, under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice inpatient facility in Statesboro. He was born October 18, 1944, in Columbus, Ga., to the late S.W. and Marjorie Tillery. Mr. Tillery grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School. He continued his education at Columbus College and Perry Business College with a degree in accounting. He was an outstanding football and baseball player and coached children’s leagues in both sports for many years. He enjoyed traveling, handball, fishing, hunting, and especially time spent with his family. He served six years in the Georgia National Guard and was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro. He retired after 38 years as the Savannah Division Manager for Lorillard Tobacco Corporation.
The Tillerys moved to Statesboro in 1985. The family joined Fletcher Baptist Church, where Don was very active and became an ordained deacon for 25 years. At his death, he was an active member of First Baptist Church Statesboro and the Agape Sunday school class. Since January 2016, Mr. Tillery had been a resident at The Lodge at Bethany, where he received exceptional care, and his final days were spent at Ogeechee Area Hospice, where those that ministered to him did so with great dignity and amazing compassion.
Along with his parents, he is also preceded in death by a brother, Joseph C. Tillery.
Mr. Tillery is survived by his wife of 51 years, Susan Gaultney Tillery of Statesboro; his son, Judson Smith Tillery (Lara) of Atlanta; two daughters, Jena Tillery Martin (Tony) of Oklahoma and Erin Tillrey White of Statesboro; two nieces, Megan Tillery Folds (Nate) and Courtney Tillery Hall (Jonah) of Columbus; two great-nephews and one great-niece.
The family will receive visitors on Saturday from 1–
2:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church Statesboro in the Averitt Room.
The funeral service will be held following visitation at
2:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary with Dr. John Waters officiating.
Interment will be held at Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 2151, Memphis, TN 38101-2151.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, July 5, 2018
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.