Ernestine B. Tillman

It is with our deepest sympathy that the time has come to celebrate the life of our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Cousin. Ernestine Brown Tillman (Sista) was born June 26, 1927, in Ormond Beach, Florida to the loving parents of Henry Brown and Josephine A. Thomas. At an early age Ernestine was baptized at the Historic New Bethe A.M.E Church, Ormond Beach, Florida where she later served as an Usher and Pulpit Ministry.  She married the late Oscar N. Tillman Sr. and birth four beautiful children. On March 16, 2023, an angel from heaven gently kissed her cheek and she accepted her call to meet her Heavenly Father and her two boys (Oscar Jr, David Sr and brother Richard Thomas) who we know were patiently waiting. 

Ernestine attended Rigby School in Ormond Beach after completion she traveled to New York and worked as a Domestic Housekeeper to earn money to take care of her family. In November 1950 after the death of her mother she returned home and became the surrogate mother to the late Clarence, George and Larry Hawkins. They all grew up and became one big happy family in the old wooden house at 251 Tomoka Avenue Ormond Beach, Florida.

Ernestine’s greatest passion was playing and intricate part in the life of her family, she never wanted to miss an opportunity to spend quality time with each of them. She enjoyed baking, sewing, traveling, reading, wrestling, old westerns and being a great neighborhood watch person while being Citizens on Patrol. Although we loved her ever so dearly, we know that God loved her best. She leaves to cherish her memory two children Willie L. Tillman Sr, Daytona Beach and Sharon Wyatt (Alvin Simmons), Ormond Beach, Sister-in-love Beatrice Thomas, Daytona Beach, Sister-in-love Barbara Hawkins, Daughter-in-love Helen B. Tillman and three God-Children Janice Fulford, Andrea Anderson who helped provide care and Cecilia Powers. She was a loving grandmother of 14 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, 15 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ernestine B. Tillman, please visit our floral store.