About
Mary Tillman Obituary
Mary Anne Tillman was born on September 4th, 1935, as the second daughter of Thomas Tuggle and Ruthie English Tuggle. She was born in Bristow, OK and lived there until the age of 15. After the passing of her mother and her grandmother, she went to live with her sister Marcella in Tulsa OK, where she graduated from Booker T Washington high school. Upon graduation, she enrolled in Howard University where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1956 and received her M.D. in 1960.
During her time at Howard, she met and married Judge Daniel Tillman. Once completing her studies, she joined him in St Louis, MO, where she completed her residency in Pediatrics at Homer G Phillips hospital. This union, which endured until the passing of Judge Tillman, bore two children, Dana and Daniel Jr.
At the completion of her residency, she went into private practice in St. Louis, MO, while simultaneously maintaining many other roles. She was a devoted wife and mother, along with her many responsibilities including the director of the nursery at Homer Phillips.
Dr. Tillman was known for her involvement in many different communities. She was the first Woman President of Mound City Medical Forum and a professor at Washington University School of Medicine. She was a dedicated member of Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, part of the board of directors for Annie Malone Children's home, and a diamond life member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority. She has also been nominated as the St. Louis Globe-Democrat Woman of achievement, and heralded as 'a role model for every black girl in the St. Louis area'.
Dr. Tillman was predeceased by her husband and her sister. She is survived by her daughter, Dana Chee of Honolulu, HI; her son, Dr. Daniel (Laura) T. Tillman Jr. of Scottsdale, AZ,; a granddaughter, Allison (Blake) Templeton of Tacoma, WA; a grandson Devin Chee of Jersey City, NJ; a granddaughter, Isabelle Tillman of Scottsdale, AZ; and a great grandson, Liam Templeton, of Tacoma WA.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Annie Malone Children's Home or Zeta Phi Beta Charitable Foundation of St. Louis
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Ann D Taylor , Nicole C Taylor and Jessie M Jones
May 16, 2025
HI DR TILLMAN I JUST WANT TO SAY HAPPY RETIREMENT! NICOLE IS 31 NOW AND I AM SURE YOU REMEMBER HER 1994 GEN I BROUGHT HER IN TO SEE YOU AT NORTHLAND SHOPPING CENTER IN JENNINGS MO. I DONT KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER JESSIE IN UNIVERSITY CITY MO AND SHE WOULD SEE TAKE ME TO SEE WHEN I WAS YOUNG. I WISH Y I U SLL THE BEST! IS ANDREA TILLMAN A FAMILY MEMBER I F YOURS I KNOW OF HER AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN KANSAS CITY MO.
Todd Patterson
June 15, 2024
I was just watching a documentary a saw her and her distinguished personality and I immediately recognized her as my doctor from over 40 years ago. She was incredible with great bedside manner. I loved her for how she handled me. Much respect to her and her legacy.
Dianna Grant Burke, MD
May 5, 2024
Zeta Phi Beta 2020 Founder´s Day in Washington , DC.. we were members of NMA and ZPhiBeta... truly a regal woman for all to
Admire , Respect and Follow
Morin Hanson, MD
September 2, 2023
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Carla Jean Gamblin-Hurn
September 1, 2023
Condolences, Dr. Tillman was my pediatrician, I was born in 1960. I also birthed 3 children (1983, 1984 & 1994). My last child had a issue & she was able to refer my asap which ended saving my child so she could have children in the future. So appreciated having a knowledgeable black female Dr. that put me at ease. She will always be remembered.
Dr. Joi Lewis
August 29, 2023
To the family and extended community of Dr. Mary Tillman, thank you for sharing her with us. She was beyond incredible. My brother just shared with me the news of her passing.
She was not only our pediatrician, she was family. Dr. Tillman took amazing care of me, my brother and sister. We loss our mother Jewell Williams Lewis ( at age 28) to cancer - she was a nurse at Homer G. Phillips- when we were very small. My sister Jennifer was (4), my brother Jay (1) and I - Joi was 7 months old. She would take calls from mu Dad, Mr. James Lewis, Sr. (R.I.P.), at all times of the day and night. She took amazing care of us and allowed me to stay under her care until I was 20 years old, incredible.
I was just speaking of her in the last couple of weeks saying I had never received that kind of amazing medical care since I was a youngster. I am just now after 24 years encountering care that may come close to that. But Dr. Tillman was the G.O.A.T.
Please accept our family´s deepest sympathy and our apologies for not knowing of her passing as we would have certainly been at her service. We will forever be in deep gratitude for, may God meet her and say well done my good and faithful servant.
( see our picture when we were little as under her care)
With peace and light,
Dr. Joi Lewis on behalf of
Jennifer Lewis Watson
James "Jay" Lewis, Jr.
LEONARD HUNTER
August 27, 2023
I looked forward to my visits with Dr. Tillman who was a very kind and caring person.
My family and I was very comfortable under her care.
As a retired pharmaceutical
Rep , l was very fortunate to have Dr. Tillman as one of my favorite visits .
My family and I will never forget her.
LH,
Adria
August 22, 2023
She was such a sweet lady. Always putting others before herself. Everytime we talked she wanted to be caught up on what going on in life. Heaven has gained another angel. We shall see her once again.
Cheryl A. B. Christie
August 22, 2023
To the Family of Dr. Tillman--
Soror Tillman was one of my favorite Zetas! Our paths did not cross often, but I always looked forward to spending some time with her at each national sorority conference. I loved her candor, I loved that she was a link to my home state of Missouri, and I loved that she was FIERCELY proud of Howard Univ. In the coming days, weeks, and months, it is my hope that you find solace in the memories you have of Dr. Tillman!
Soror C. Denae Battle
August 22, 2023
Dr. Soror Tillman was a loving, tell it like it is woman who shared her gifts and love to the world. I will Beverly forget the hugs and impact she had. She was and still is well loved.
Soror C. Denae Battle
Oklahoma Zeta
Beta Phi Zeta chapter
T. DIANE SURGEON
August 22, 2023
My beautiful Soror made an incredible difference in the lives of so many other people. Judge T. Diane Surgeon
Nae'Wanda Moore
August 22, 2023
Thank you for taking care of me and my daughter. You were more than our doctor, you was our family. Love and and you will be missed.
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7239 W Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO 63136
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