Doris (Curl) Tillman

Alma Doris Tillman, age 92, passed peacefully Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Health Center at St. Joseph of the Pines in Southern Pines. She was born on July 27, 1930, in Alamance County. 

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Clay and Walcie Curl, her former husband Lonnie Alvin Tillman as well as her companion of many years, Charles Thompson. Additionally, preceding her in death were her two sons, Greg Tillman and Ted Tillman, as well as her two sisters and two brothers. 

Surviving relatives include her daughter, Lori Tillman Barbier and her son-in-law David Rosenthal, daughter-in-law Brenda (Heilman) Tillman, five grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Doris grew up in Chatham County and graduated from Pittsboro High School where she was voted Most Athletic, in particular for her skills in basketball. She moved to Durham where she worked with Alvin Tillman, her husband of 42 years, to establish Tillman Heating and Air Conditioning, which became the premier HVAC firm in the area. Her faith was always uppermost in her life from her earliest days at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Pittsboro. She loved to bowl and was an active member of senior bowling leagues where she met many new friends. Even when she moved to Graham, she kept up her bowling in Durham while returning to her childhood church, Mt Olive Baptist.

Services will be held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 5043 Mount Olive Church Road, Pittsboro, on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Church will open at 10:30 AM for viewing with the service starting at 11:00 AM. Following the service, her burial will be at the church cemetery and a reception with time to share stories with friends and family immediately after in the church Fellowship Hall. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Mt. Olive Baptist Church in support of Senior and Youth activities.