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Mildred “Carolyn” Tilley, age 89 of Monticello, AR, passed away on Sunday, February 23rd, surrounded by her family. She was born in Vilonia, Arkansas on April 21, 1935, Easter Sunday, to Sam and Reva Wofford Castleberry. She grew up in Little Rock, where she graduated from Central High School and went on to college at Henderson University. It was there, she met her husband of 62 years, Harold Tilley. Together they had four children, Donna, Terri, Traci and Scott. She had a long and wonderful career with the Social Security Department and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, from which she retired. She was a strong, loving, selfless person, who enjoyed spending time with her family and playing bridge with her friends. She was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed her years of volunteering in the nursery at Immanuel Baptist Church. There she was known as Mim. Holding babies and loving on children gave her great joy. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Donna Johnson and great-granddaughter Schuyler Gates.
She is survived by her daughters Terri Montgomery (Maxie Self), Traci Bone (Michael), son Scott Tilley (Vicki); one brother Don Castleberry (Marcelle); grandchildren, Eddie Gates, Andy Johnson, Eric Johnson, Kelley Eckhart, Byron Montgomery, Jacob Bone, Jesse Bone, Logan Bone, John Ryan Tilley and Jordan Tilley; 13 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and Butch (her beloved Schnauzer).
The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Reinhart, Dr. Nicholson, Belleview Nursing and Rehab, Drew Memorial Baptist, Cathy Hales, Hilda Dunemn, Brittany Westerman and Georgia Green. Serving as pallbearers are Jacob Bone, Jesse Bone, Logan Bone, John Ryan Tilley, Jordan Tilley, Byron Montgomery and Andy Johnson.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 25, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Pine Crest Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas. A graveside service will be held at the cemetery officiated by Brother Joe Chambers.
The family asks that memorials be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Food Pantry (PO Box 1281 Monticello, AR 71655), St. Jude Hospital (501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Monticello 2nd Chance Fur Dogs (516 Borchardt Monticello, AR 71655). You can sign Mrs. Carolyn’s guestbook registry on this website.
She is survived by her daughters Terri Montgomery (Maxie Self), Traci Bone (Michael), son Scott Tilley (Vicki); one brother Don Castleberry (Marcelle); grandchildren, Eddie Gates, Andy Johnson, Eric Johnson, Kelley Eckhart, Byron Montgomery, Jacob Bone, Jesse Bone, Logan Bone, John Ryan Tilley and Jordan Tilley; 13 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and Butch (her beloved Schnauzer).
The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Reinhart, Dr. Nicholson, Belleview Nursing and Rehab, Drew Memorial Baptist, Cathy Hales, Hilda Dunemn, Brittany Westerman and Georgia Green. Serving as pallbearers are Jacob Bone, Jesse Bone, Logan Bone, John Ryan Tilley, Jordan Tilley, Byron Montgomery and Andy Johnson.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 25, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Pine Crest Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas. A graveside service will be held at the cemetery officiated by Brother Joe Chambers.
The family asks that memorials be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Food Pantry (PO Box 1281 Monticello, AR 71655), St. Jude Hospital (501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Monticello 2nd Chance Fur Dogs (516 Borchardt Monticello, AR 71655). You can sign Mrs. Carolyn’s guestbook registry on this website.