Funeral service for Mrs Sandra Faye (Osment) Tillman age 56, will be conducted Sunday at 2 PM at Higgins Funeral Home with Doug Allen officiating. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery.
Mrs Tillman was born on March 8, 1955 and passed away Sunday November 27, 2011 in Richmond, VA. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Jeffery Tillman, her mother Nancy Osment, father William Osment, and her brother Ronnie Osment.
Survivors include two children Misty Fraedrich and Malcolm Patterson, five grandchildren Brandon Sparrow, Victoria Godsey, Tristan Fraedrich, Patrick Patterson, and Sean Patterson, sisters Deborah Newby, Marsha Maple, and Betty Graham, and brother Howard Osment. As well as several aunts, uncles nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Tillman earned her bachelors and masters degree from Faulkner University. She worked for BAE systems managing contracts for the Department of Defense until her retirement in 2010.
Visitation with the family will be Saturday from 5 PM till 8 PM at Higgins Funeral Home.
I was her daughter-in-law and I have never met a woman more strong and courageous. I found something I think she would like and I’d like to share it:
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and live your life.
I loved her more than anything in this world. She helped me get my GED and start college. I remember the days when I would get a good grade and she would have the biggest smile on her face. She was so proud of me and that is something that I have never seen in anyone’s eyes. Even though we were not blood related, in my eyes she was a mother to me. I will never come across a more beautiful, caring, educated, and sincere person. I miss her and her son misses her so much to. We are still grieving and I hope God can get us through this. Thank you all for all of your tributes, they are VERY appreciated.
I had the pleasure of working with Sandy at BAE Systems for over 2 years. I learned a great deal from her and am so very thankful of our time together. To this day I have yet to meet anyone who could match her intensity, energy and dedication. My deepest sympathies to the family. Her children and grandchildren were always in her thoughts – we spoke of you often. As a relatively new father, I leaned on Sandy quite a bit for guidance in that regard and she was always willing to share her perspective with me which I appreciated. She was a very special person to me and will be greatly missed.
Sandy served our group as Contracting Officer for more than two years. Her knowledge and experience were highly valued, but her sense of humor and effervescent personality are what I miss most. We could always find a reason to laugh, even under the most serious circumstances. I feel lucky to have known her. To all of her family and friends, please accept my sympathies and prayers.
Sandy was such a pleasure to know. She could always put a smile on and make the day a little brighter for those around her. Prayers go out to the family, I know you will miss her but she is at peace.
I was so sorry to hear of Sandra’s passing. I hadn’t seen her since I graduated high school with Marcia, but she was always a very sweet young girl. My sympathies to her family.
My deepest sympathies to Sandra’s family. She often talked of her two children, Misty and Butch. She loved her grandchildren so much. Sandra joined us for Thanksgiving dinner the last year I worked at BAE Systems. I thought of her again this year. She was an amazing woman. I loved her sense of humor. She will be missed.
Our deepest sympathies to Sandra’s family and friends. I miss her bubbly ways. We would tease each other about who had the biggest accent – her (from Tenn) or me (from Mass) it is a wonder we understood each other.
She was a credit to herself, her family, her friends and her profession. Too young, too much to do. My prayers are for her.
My deepest sympathies to Sandy’s family. Had the pleasure of working with Sandy at BAE Systems…she will be missed. My prayers are with you all.