Melba J. Tiller

Melba Jean Tiller was born June 19, 1929, in rural Texarkana, Texas. Her life was full of family, love, and her faith in Jesus as she began her earthly journey, until it ended November 27, 2024. Melba was a faithful member of many churches, her first being Rose Hill Baptist there in Texarkana, where she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at age 12. Her love of church work was seen through leading several WMU groups beginning at Willow Meadows Baptist Houston TX, Parkway Village Baptist Memphis TN, West Asheville Baptist NC, and finally First Baptist Nacogdoches TX. Melba was one of the main leaders of the local Christian Women’s Job Corp, and TIFA organization.

Melba was born to Virgil Gowen Waters and Gladys Marie Ramsey Waters. When she married in 1950, she had two children, Bill Gentry and Susan Gentry Kirk. She was proud to be called Grandmother to three wonderful girls: Lauren, Brettly, and Madison Kirk, and Great Grandmother to Abigail Caroline.

In 1990, Mrs. Tiller was blessed to be married to her high school sweetheart, Jefferson W. Tiller of Nacogdoches. From this marriage, she gained a stepson, Mark Tiller, and his wife Nan. As their family grew, she loved being MeMaw to Ashley (Gabe) Trujillo, Spenser (Mary Kate) Tiller, and Stuart (Arlou) Tiller. Two great grandchildren were added to the fold, Ethan Trujillo and Scarlett Tiller.

Mrs. Tiller was preceded in death by her parents, her dear husband Jeff, and sadly her youngest granddaughter Madison. Besides the immediate family, Melba leaves behind her sister, Norma Hill of Mesquite TX, her sister Barbara Simpson of Texarkana TX, many nieces, nephews, and their families, along with Jeff’s two remaining brothers Lynn and Glenn Tiller and their families.

Mr. and Mrs. Tiller’s long-time devoted caregiver, Carolyn Skeeters, truly has been a blessing and loved by everyone. Carolyn provided many long hours of loving care to both Jeff and Melba. In addition, the family would like to thank Magnolia Court Assisted Living facility for their devotion to Melba’s care during her time there, and to Heart to Heart Hospice for their guidance during the final days prior to Melba’s homegoing.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for January 15, 2025, at First Baptist Church, Nacogdoches TX, with visitation at noon and the service at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the CWJC organization PO Box 632145, Nacogdoches TX 76563, or a Lottie Moon Christmas offering at your church in her memory.

Cason Monk-Metcalf is in charge of arrangements.