Mrs. Ophline Harvey Tillman, 90, of Swainsboro passed away on October 23, at her home in Swainsboro. The daughter of Courtie and Henry Warren Harvey, Ophline was born on June 5, 1925 in Alma, Georgia. She often recalled happy memories of a childhood that included piano lessons, shopping trips with her mother, and faithful church attendance that fostered a lifelong love of Christian music.
She graduated from Surrency High School where she met her husband, Ernest Wells Tillman. His career with the Georgia State Patrol took them to Alma, Cordele, McRae, and finally, to Swainsboro, which became their home. Here she also became known affectionately as “Op” to many.
For many years, “Op” worked at Stewart’s Jewelers, delighting in helping her customers. She was an outstanding Southern cook and always enjoyed preparing each family member’s favorite, from red velvet cake, to fried quail, to chocolate pie-no one could top her culinary skills. After her retirement, she relished her Augusta and Savannah shopping excursions and took advantage of opportunities to travel, both within and outside the US. She volunteered at Emanuel County Hospital and was active in her church’s “55 and Alive” group. Meeting her special, lunch group friends to eat and enjoy lively conversation at “their table” at the hospital became a frequent highlight of the day.
Mrs. Tillman was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She welcomed her daughters-in-law into her family as if they were her own children. The greatest joy of her later years was her great grandchildren. She took an active interest in all of their activities and was so proud of their accomplishments. They, in turn, loved their “Mema” who always had a big smile and hug for them.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Tillman was predeceased by a brother, H. W. Harvey, and two sisters, Latane Carver and Vonzeal Henderson.
Survivors include her sons, Warren Tillman and his wife Linda of Fayetteville, NC, and Craig Tillman and his wife Brigitte of Swainsboro; grandsons Alex Tillman of Swainsboro, Scott Tillman and his wife Lauren of Strassburg Penn, and Joseph Tillman and his wife Heather of Memphis TN; and great grandchildren, Allan, Alexis, Jasper, Conor, Ian and Elliot.
Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home Monday, October 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will be in in the Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Surrency, Georgia.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at Chapman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Alex Tillman, Joseph Tillman, Allan Tillman, Ed Brown, and Tim Pickett.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Safe Harbor Worship Center, P O Box 326, Adrian, GA, 31002, or to a charity chosen by the donor.
Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for the funeral of Mrs. Ophline Harvey Tillman, 90, of Swainsboro.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ophline Harvey Tillman, please visit our flower store.
She graduated from Surrency High School where she met her husband, Ernest Wells Tillman. His career with the Georgia State Patrol took them to Alma, Cordele, McRae, and finally, to Swainsboro, which became their home. Here she also became known affectionately as “Op” to many.
For many years, “Op” worked at Stewart’s Jewelers, delighting in helping her customers. She was an outstanding Southern cook and always enjoyed preparing each family member’s favorite, from red velvet cake, to fried quail, to chocolate pie-no one could top her culinary skills. After her retirement, she relished her Augusta and Savannah shopping excursions and took advantage of opportunities to travel, both within and outside the US. She volunteered at Emanuel County Hospital and was active in her church’s “55 and Alive” group. Meeting her special, lunch group friends to eat and enjoy lively conversation at “their table” at the hospital became a frequent highlight of the day.
Mrs. Tillman was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She welcomed her daughters-in-law into her family as if they were her own children. The greatest joy of her later years was her great grandchildren. She took an active interest in all of their activities and was so proud of their accomplishments. They, in turn, loved their “Mema” who always had a big smile and hug for them.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Tillman was predeceased by a brother, H. W. Harvey, and two sisters, Latane Carver and Vonzeal Henderson.
Survivors include her sons, Warren Tillman and his wife Linda of Fayetteville, NC, and Craig Tillman and his wife Brigitte of Swainsboro; grandsons Alex Tillman of Swainsboro, Scott Tillman and his wife Lauren of Strassburg Penn, and Joseph Tillman and his wife Heather of Memphis TN; and great grandchildren, Allan, Alexis, Jasper, Conor, Ian and Elliot.
Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home Monday, October 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will be in in the Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Surrency, Georgia.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at Chapman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Alex Tillman, Joseph Tillman, Allan Tillman, Ed Brown, and Tim Pickett.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Safe Harbor Worship Center, P O Box 326, Adrian, GA, 31002, or to a charity chosen by the donor.
Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for the funeral of Mrs. Ophline Harvey Tillman, 90, of Swainsboro.