Dwight Tillman Sr.

Deacon Dwight Tillman Sr. departed this life and received his crown in Glory on June3rd, 2019 at Novant Medical Hospital in Matthews, North Carolina. He was surroundedby his beloved family, being just 4 days shy of his 91st birthday.Dwight Tillman Sr. was born to the late Andrew and Pearl Diggs Tillman on June 7th,1928, along with 13 other siblings in Rockingham, North Carolina. He attendedRichmond County Schools, lived in various cities on the East Coast, and enjoyedtraveling to see his family and friends.He married the late Ella B. Harris of Waxhaw, North Carolina and together they movedto Charlotte to start their new lives together. From this union came forth a son, DwightM. "Peanut" Tillman, Jr. They joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where Mr. Tillmanbecame an ordained deacon, serving faithfully on the Deacon and Usher Board for over40 years. Mr. Tillman was also known for selling and gifting watermelons all over thecity of Charlotte. He was affectionately known in the old Cherry community as “TheWatermelon Man”. Deacon Tillman worked for Blythe Brothers Construction Companyfor over 40 years, getting up every day to go to work to support his family until hisretirement from the company. While working, he faithfully served as a Boy ScoutMaster, impacting the lives of many young boys at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church for over44 years.While his son, Dwight Tillman Jr., was serving his country through service in theUnited States Marine Corp, Deacon Tillman Sr. gave his endless love and support toDwight Jr.'s new family. He became a caring grandfather to Andrea Nicole TillmanCosey (Raymond) and Tamara Lashun Tillman. Deacon Tillman's love grew to includeLoretta Ingram Tillman (Dwight Jr.), whom he affectionately called "Boss Lady", and hebecame a grandfather to Kimberly Michelle Tillman and Veronica Denise Tillman.Dwight and Ella B. Tillman Sr., married for more than 56 years, showed unlimited love,support, and encouragement not just to their girls, but to everyone in their family.Dwight Tillman Sr. loved everybody, and he greatly loved his daughter YvonneRichardson of Philadelphia Pennsylvania and his grandson, Norman Richardson. Hewould often spend long hours on the phone with Yvonne in his later years. He alsoshowed great love for Angela Lunn (Andre) and Anita Johnson of Charlotte, NC, twobeloved nieces with whom he often enjoyed a good laugh.When in later years, Deacon Tillman became a great grandfather to Erik DezjhionTillman, Da'Zhane Dernell Nicole Nixon, and Deuntre Marquise Nash, he was just asfilled with love for them. Deacon Tillman was also able to share his abundant love withhis great-great grandson, Legend Nasir-Murod Stephens. He was even able to give hisblessing to future generations before he gained his wings. Deacon Tillman always wentabove and beyond for his grandchildren, including making an 850 mile trip to Louisiana at 84 years old, with his granddaughters to meet his youngest greatgrandson.He is survived by the following family, who will forever cherish his memory: DovieLeak House of Baltimore, Maryland (Sister); Wallace Skinner of Baltimore, MD (Brotherin law); Katherine Tillman of Rockingham, NC (Sister in law); Jesse Tillman ofCharlotte, NC (Sister in Law). He leaves to mourn a host of family, friends, and churchmembers, but his joyful spirit will be celebrated in communities far and wide.Deacon Tillman ALWAYS went the extra mile. Nothing was too hard or outside of hisability. He was highly respected by all who knew and loved him. He demonstrated thelove of Christ in word, thought, and deed. He had a kind heart and pleasant smile, andhis love enriched the lives of all he met. Dwight Tillman Sr. was a giant of a man with ajovial spirit and will forever live on in the lives of his children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and all future generations to come. Even inhis last breaths, he wanted it to be known that he “loved not one, but all of ya’ll”.