Johnnie B Tillery

1936 - 2013

Johnnie B. Tillery, 76 of Porterville, passed away on February 18, 2013 in Porterville, CA.
Visitation will be held at Myers Chapel on Thursday, February 21st from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A service will be held on Friday, February 22nd at 10:00 AM at Myers Chapel with Chaplain David Patterson officiating. Interment will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park. There will be a celebration of life immediately following the graveside service at the Porterville Elks Lodge.
Johnnie B. was born in Cottonwood, Alabama to Henry and Roxie Mae Gore on July 25, 1936. She attended school at Bibb City School, Columbus, Georgia.
Johnnie B. met the love of her life Clyde Curtis Tillery, Jr. while he was a police officer in Columbus, Georgia. In 1959 they headed off to California in Clyde's Cadillac, and were married that same year. Johnnie B. and Clyde C. lived in Hollywood, CA and eventually moved to Culver City, CA where they purchased a home and started a family four years later.
In 1981, Johnnie B. and Clyde moved to Porterville, CA where they would retire. Both Johnnie and Clyde were active members in the Porterville Elks Lodge#1342.
Johnnie B. became an Elk member on 8/5/1999. She was initiated into the Tulare Elks Lodge #1424 and transferred into the Porterville Lodge #1342 on 7/28/2005. She held the following offices: Esquire, Inner Guard, Lecturing Knight and Loyal Knight. Johnnie B. was awarded Elks Citizen of the Year 2005/2006.
Johnnie joined and has continued to be a member of the Porterville Emblem Club #82 in September 1994. She held the office of Marshall.
Johnnie B. was a caring and loving mother and "momo". She enjoyed quality time with her family, spending time at the Elks Lodge with friends and feeding coins to the "one-armed bandits" in various casinas. She had a "southern draw" and never hesitated to give you her opinion.
Johnnie B. is preceded in death by her husband Clyde Curtis Tillery, Jr.
Johnnie B. is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Allen Ray of Camp Nelson/Porterville; son, Clyde C. Tillery, III and wife Kim of Porterville; grandchildren, Chelsea Olenberger, Cody Olenberger, Connor Olenberger and Savannah Tillery.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Chaplain David Patterson and his wife Jean for their love, support and prayer during mom's battle with cancer for the past three years and during her final days. Also, the Porterville Elks Lodge #1342 for their assistance with the preparation in the Celebration of Johnnie B's life arrangements and a huge heartfelt thank-you to Roger Kay, as mom always enjoyed his musical talent!
To send the condolences or sign the family guest book, go to www.myersfuneral.com. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.