Margaret Howard Tilley, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away Friday, February 12, 2021 in Baton Rouge, LA at the age of 86. The daughter of the late Lillie Bea Howell and Selby Lee Howard, she was born on June 26, 1934 in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She had resided in Baton Rouge for the past three years, but the majority of her life was spent in Quitman, LA.
Upon graduation from Jonesboro- Hodge High School, she traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit family and went to work for the Quartermaster General’s Office. While in DC she continued to correspond with a young man she had been dating Charles Henry Tilley.
Margaret returned to Jonesboro and she and Charles married on January 19, 1953 and settled outside of Jonesboro in the Quitman area and began their life together.
Margaret was known for lovingly spoiling Charles, her wonderful husband. Together they created the happiest of homes for themselves and their four children. Margaret possessed a kind spirit and she loved her family and friends deeply and put needs of others ahead of her own.
A woman who truly knew and loved Our Lord she was active in her church and was involved in all aspects of her children’s academic and spiritual upbringing. Margaret created for her family and friends a welcoming home filled with faith, laughter, love along with generous hospitality. She was a wonderful cook and truly enjoyed welcoming guests into her home.
She worked at Edmonds Funeral Home and later as an Administrative Assistant in the Housing Department at Louisiana Tech University until she retired 1995.
Margaret was an accomplished artist painting many beautiful oil paintings. Also, she was known for her beautiful French needlework, embroidery and fine sewing.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Henry Tilley, her parents, Lillie Bea Howell Howard and Selby Lee Howard, her Paternal Grandparents, Ola Lee Howard Rogers and Charlie Howard and Maternal Grandparents Margaret Maddox Howell and Fred Howell. Also preceding her in death was her beloved uncle that she called “brother” Wilbur Rogers and wife Ona Vee Rogers and beloved son-in-law Carroll Davis Rich.
She is survived by four children: Carla Tilley Theriot and husband Ralph of Baton Rouge, LA, Leesa Tilley Rich of Arcadia, LA, Amy Tilley of York, South Carolina, Roger Tilley and wife Anne Nowak Tilley of Prairieville, LA.
She is survived by six grandchildren: Sage Theriot of New Orleans, LA, Morgen Theriot of New Orleans, LA, Catherine Margaret McCarley Norris and husband Blake of Golden, Colorado, Taylor Ashley “Kane” Edwards of York, South Carolina, Maya Tilley of Prairieville, LA, Benjamin Tilley of Prairieville, LA and great grandchild Charlotte Norris of Golden, Colorado.
Also left to honor her memory is her sister, Sandra Howard Morton of Youngsville, North Carolina and sister-in-law, Barbara Tilley Estes of Greenwell Springs, LA as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Special thanks to loving care givers Vicky, Carolyn, Chaz, Shannon and Alicia.
Graveside services for Margaret Howard Tilley will be held on February 25, 2021
at 1 PM at the Mt Olive Baptist East Cemetery in Quitman, LA.
Memorial Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research or the charity of your choice.
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