Dimple Jean Tillman

Dimple Jean Tillman, 85, passed away on January 29, 2024, peacefully in her sleep. Some of her last words before passing were her singing from one of her favorite hymns, The Old Rugged Cross. “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross Till my trophies, at last, I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it someday for a crown” Dimple was born on May 8, 1938, in Savannah, TN and she moved with her family to Hardee County in 1949 at the age of 11. Since then, she has been a committed member of the Hardee County community. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Nu-Hope Elder Services, and Cutting Edge Ministries. In her free time, you could find her reading her Bible, painting, sewing, or gardening. One of her greatest joys was her family. She was a committed sister to her eight siblings and loved any time that she spent visiting with them. She married Charles Herbert Tillman on December 19, 1958, and they were married for 65 years. She was the mother of four boys, Billy, Derrell, Allen Dale, and Bruce. As her boys grew up and got married, it wasn’t long before she became the loving grandmother of 10 rambunctious grandkids, 11 great-grandchildren, and most recently a great-great-grandchild. However, the most important thing in Dimple’s life was her faith. She trusted God for salvation at 8 years old and spent the rest of her life dedicated to serving God. Dimple traveled to the Navajo nation doing children’s ministry and provided Christmas stockings for the reservation for years. She spent multiple weeks traveling to Venezuela, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic on mission trips. She served in the churches she called home as a Sunday school teacher, volunteer, singer, and intercessor. Even in her last few years of life as her memory waned, she would still greet her family and those who she interacted with a loving, “Hey Stranger, I’ve been praying for you.” There’s no doubt that even if she didn’t know who she was praying for that God remembered her. With her passing, Dimple finally trades her faith in this life for a crown of joy in eternity with her Savior and will be waiting with open arms to welcome those whom she loves home one day. She is survived by her husband, Charles Herbert Tillman of Wauchula, her children, Billy Newell (Sandra) of Anniston, AL, Derrell Newell of Land O’ Lakes, FL, and Bruce Tillman (Suzanne) of Live Oak, FL, her siblings, Earl Smith (Diana) of Wauchula, FL, Robert Smith (Ira Mae) of Wauchula, FL, Jim Smith (Ginny) of Pine Flat, CA, Wendell Smith (Ty) of Wauchula, FL, Carolyn Hines (Fred) of Iowa City, TX, Debbie DeGeus (Doug) of Rockvale, TN, and Patsy Adams (Ken) of Wauchula, FL, her 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. She joins those whom she was preceded in death, both of her parents John D. and Velma Smith, her sister, Joyce Cook, and her son, Allen Dale Tillman. In honor of Dimple in lieu of flowers, make a donation to Gateway Church P.O. Box 210 Bowling Green FL 33834 earmark as “Missions” A visitation will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, February 9, 2024 at Gateway Church followed by funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Reverend Billy Newell, Reverend Charles Thompson, and Reverend Wendell Smith will be officiating services.

Dimple Jean Tillman

May 8, 1938 - January 29, 2024