Eleanor Ward Purdy Gregory Tillman

Eleanor Ward Purdy Gregory Tillman Eleanor Ward Purdy Gregory Tillman, 77, passed over on February 16, 2017, at her home in Beaufort, SC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred Alice Ward Purdy and Henry Klugh Purdy, Jr., and her brother, Henry Klugh (Rock) Purdy, III of Ridgeland, SC. She was a graduate of Columbia College. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Jerome Tillman of Beaufort, a son, Sen. Chauncey Klugh (Greg) Gregory and his wife, her "treasure-in-law," Sherri of Lancaster, SC, a daughter, Alice Gray Gregory of Asheville, NC, a son, Richard Evans Richards Gregory of Charleston, SC, a stepdaughter Shellie Marie Rowell of Guyton, GA, nieces Tara Marie Purdy of Fairfax, CA, Roxanne Eleanor Purdy Dzendzel (Nathan) of Hilton Head, and Catherine Ryan Purdy Gonzales of Bluffton, SC. She adored her three grandchildren, Marshall Purdy Gregory, Ellen Gray Gregory, and Jasper Aiden Purdy and they adored her. She had a special place in her heart for her great-nieces and great-nephews, Kyanna Elizabeth Gonzales, Nicholas Miles Dzendzel, Stella Ryan Gonzales, and Spencer Klugh Dzendzel. She was married first to Chauncey Depew (Bubber) Gregory, Jr. of Lancaster, SC, and they remained friends. Ralph, Chris, Robin, George, Raphael, and Phyllis were very dear to her. She particularly loved all of the sweet and loving waitresses at the Huddle House, where she enjoyed coffee and conversation nearly daily. Her friends were many and true throughout the years. She was an insatiable reader, gifted writer, and loved history, especially that of World War II. She was one of the best storytellers around and was an imparter of wisdom and love throughout her life. A special interest was researching and collecting her family's history and memorabilia. She enjoyed dancing the Carolina Shag, entertaining children, and gathering family and friends around her kitchen table. Receiving will take place on Saturday, February 18 at 2:00, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Ridgeland, followed by the service at 3:00, with burial afterwards at Grahamville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital, The Wounded Warrior Project, animal shelters, and charities of choice.