Today is the day that the Lord hath made....

 

It was quiet when I sat on the porch. The only sound was the one hummingbird who seems to be too dumb to leave. Gradually the other ones woke up. First was a wren who started bellowing from a nearby hanging basket, then another one in the woods answering. A dog began to bark (Babe, at my parent’s), a train in the distance, cars on the highway. The world is waking up. So am I.

Today is the day for Capt’s funeral service. We’ve planned a simple one, as Capt was a man of simple tastes. His sister did most of the work, calling me for opinions and that was about all I did, except for locating a bagpiper. I did it! Who knew you could find a bagpiper on such short notice! He was very kind, too, and had some excellent suggestions for stuff he could play for the service.

I expect to do a fair amount of sobbing. A box of tissues will certainly get a workout. I hate crying in front of other people, but at least today it will be understood. I hope I can maintain composure by keeping in mind where Capt is, and what he's probably doing, but....music makes me cry under the least of circumstances, and certain songs, such as the ones that will be played at Capt's service, always grab me by the feels and shake me around. There WILL be tears. I hope the sobbing and hysteria can be kept to a minimum. So embarrassing even if it's expected and understood.

But then, today isn't about me. It's about honoring a man who had an impact on every single person he ever met. A man who didn't know a stranger, who was larger than life, who loved everyone until you gave him a reason not to...basically the ONLY people he ever judged harshly were politicians and pedophiles. He was afraid of no one except God. He didn't hesitate to help anyone who needed it. He opened his home to families who were suffering abuse, providing them protection and care until they could help themselves. 

His obituary was written by his best friend, who knows him better than anyone.

Stephen Samuel Tillman

August 30, 1966 - October 8, 2022

 

It is with joy and sadness that we announce Stephen Samuel Tillman’s transition to the Church Triumphant and to his reward as promised by our Savior Jesus Christ.

Stephen, the son of Dick and Pansy Tillman of McKenzie, Alabama, left an enormous footprint on this world, a trail blazed with vigor of life, unmatched passion and enduring love for everyone he encountered. He didn’t linger to become a small-town Joe, but set out to take on the world, enjoy life to its fullest, and to witness as much of creation as he could in his too-short 56 years.

From Army medic to forestry and lumber mill manager, to woodworker, builder and artist, blacksmith and gunsmith, historian, firefighter, electrician, charter boat captain and SCUBA instructor, he did it all, and mastered every bit of it. His thumbs were green, his hands calloused, his mind brilliant. A fierce and compassionate husband, father, brother, son, and friend. A loving and gentle grandfather. A wearer of big smiles, long beards, Hawaiian shirts, and Crocs. An astute debater and political commentator. An Alabama game-day fanatic. “Roll Tide!” The giver of bear hugs and encouraging words. Even here, in this last record of his time on this world, the description falls far too short of the man, himself. But rest assured, he is deftly casting his fly rod, his toes dug deep into the warm sand, and his beloved Boykin spaniel, Miss E., is sitting by his side as he patiently waits for us to join him in paradise.

Most recently from Opelika, AL, Stephen is preceded in death by his grandparents Benajah Thompson and Elsie Cade Tillman and John D. and Lyla Odom Carnathan; great niece Fallon Cade Kennington. He is survived by his parents Alva Richard and Pansy Carnathan Tillman of McKenzie, AL; sister Edi (Holger) Hill of Red Level, AL, wife Mary Margaret “Peggy” Dodd Tillman; daughters Mary Elizabeth Tillman of Chester, SC, and Carolyn Adele Tillman of Little Falls, MN; step children Will Dodd of Midway, GA, David Dodd of Marietta, GA, C.J. Dodd of Beauregard, AL, and Eli Dodd of Kennesaw, GA; grandchildren Bree Shytle, of Little Falls, MN, Benjamin “JP” Deese of Chester, SC, and Chris Dodd of Beauregard, AL; nieces Kathrynne Caldwell of Sanford, NC, and Gracyn (Dylan) Kennington, of Lancaster, SC; nephews Tillman Caldwell and Matthew Steele of Kershaw, SC; great nephew Jude Caldwell of Kershaw, SC; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Stephen’s memory to The Extension (theextension.org), an addiction recovery center for homeless men in Marietta, GA.