Tilman E. Self Jr.

Tilman E. Self, Jr. -MACON - Tilman E. Self, Jr., 67, died Saturday, February 23, 2008. He was 67 years old. "Pop" was a simple man who enjoyed simple things. He had a deep faith, he adored his family and he loved to fish. Funeral ervices will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at Pine Forest Baptist Church. Dr. Norm Yukers, The Reverend Stephen N. Johnson, and The Reverend Joe S. McDaniel will be officiating. Burial will be at Macon Memorial Park. The family may be contacted at 1071 Bentley Road, Knoxville, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Central Georgia, P.O. Box 6533, Macon, GA 31208. -Nothing made him more happy than when he was with his family. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Celeste, with whom he had taken several international trips. He deeply loved his two boys, Tripp and Shane. He passed on to them his love of hunting and fishing, and the importance of family. However, his greatest gift came in the form of a good name, that he received unblemished from his father and that he protected and preserved through unflinching honesty and integrity, sacrificial love for family and plain hard work. He poured his life into the lives of his children and grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to tell them how much he loved them and how proud he was of them and their families. When he wasn't working, Pop was fishing. Although he fished extensively in South America and other exotic locations, he was never happier than on his own dock with his grandchildren, developing his next generation of fishermen. He was at peace on the water and from there, he drew his strength. He fished his last day on this Earth, and thus, we know he died a happy, peaceful and contented man. Finally, he had a deep, abiding and personal faith in God. He modeled God's Grace, loving unconditionally and accepting totally. He lived out his faith and taught his family through his example. Today, we know that he is with his Eternal Father and he awaits us there. Although we hurt, we take great comfort and joy in knowing that his faith has been rewarded. Pop was a Southern gentleman and a "gentle" man. We miss him. -Mr. Self is survived by his wife, Celeste L. Self of Knoxville, GA; sons, Judge Tilman E. "Tripp" Self, III (Carlen) of Macon, and Michael Shane Self (Amy) of Perry; three grandchildren, Dalton Michael Self and Colby Luke Self, both of Perry, and Walker Manning Self of Macon; two brothers, J. Philip Self, Sr. of Atlanta and Judge William J. Self, II (Jane) of Macon; sister, Alera Jill Elliott of Atlanta; Step-son, Samuel Rhode Lacey of Knoxville, GA; step-daughter, Brittany Leah Lacy (Ben Siegel) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and many nieces and nephews. -Hart's Mortuary has charge of arrangements. Tilman Self, Jr.