Jerry Duncan Tillman

Jerry Duncan Tillman, 87, of Lake Park, died on Saturday, April 30, 2005 at South Georgia Medical Center after a lengthy illness. He was born on July 30, 1917, in Valdosta to the late Gordon Isaac and Elizabeth MacPherson Tillman. Mr. Tillman left Valdosta to become a messenger for the Federal Government, where he worked for 17 years. During WWII, he served as a Sea Bee in the US Navy. In 1960, he went to Africa where he served as a Foreign Aid Controller for 12 years before retiring in 1972. While his accomplishments are vast, he was proud of his memberships in the Lake Park Chamber of Commerce, RSVP of Valdosta, Twin Lakes Presbyterian Church, the South Georgia Classic Car Club, Foster Grandparents, and the American Legion Post # 1 in Washington, D.C. While in Africa, Mr. Tillman collected African Art and Makonde Carvings which are on permanent display in the Jerry Tillman Gallery at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Art Center.

Survivors include 2 sisters, Janet DeVore of Lutz, Florida, and Roberta Sharpless of Lake Park; brother in law, Jo Baker of Lake Park, 3 sisters in law, Vesta Tillman of Hahira, Floyce Tillman and Louise Tillman both of Valdosta; 6 nieces, JoAnn McLeod, Maxine Kendrick, Sue Beth Garland, Gloria Johnson, Mary Lou Friel, Beth Parrish; 7 nephews, Jimmy Tillman, John Tillman, Mickey Tillman, Curt Cochran, Bill Baker, Jim DeVore and Chuck Tillman. Mr. Tillman was preceded in death by brothers, Gordon Tillman, Charles Tillman, L. Mac Tillman and sisters, Idadel Cochran and Elizabeth Baker.

Services will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Reverend John Akers and Reverend Edwin Thomas will officiate. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Palms at Langdale Place or to Hospice of South Georgia. Condolences may be conveyed on our website at obituaries, www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602