Mrs. Sevilla Burney Tillman (May 20, 1897 – December 12, 2006), the matriarch of the Tillman Funeral Home family, was a native of Leon County and resident of Jefferson County, having grown up near Miccosukee. In 1931, she and her husband Robert Clemon “C.T.” Tillman, founded Tillman Funeral Home. At one point they owned and operated funeral homes in Monticello, Madison and Perry. Tillman was a staunch member of Greater Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a deaconess and the oldest member. Over the years, she was mother to countless young men and women who served either their apprenticeships or internships for embalmer/funeral director licensure at Tillman’s. A kind and gentle spirit, Tillman was revered by all who knew her. She was a superb cook and homemaker and provided meals for many young people in the community. Truly, she was “Mama” or “Grandma” to all, including her nurses and caregivers who were not related to her by blood. Her memory was superb, and her wit was amazing. She loved sharing her experiences of yesteryear and could captivate her audiences with her accuracy and details. She was the mother of the late William “Spike” Tillman, Clemon Tillman, Jr., Ephriam Tillman, Bessie T. Early, Almeda T. Montgomery, and Dr. Willie T. Williams. She outlived all three of her sons, dying at the age of 109.