Joel Arnold Tilley

Joel Arnold Tilley 8/25/1948 – 9/27/2024
Joel Arnold Tilley age 76 of Sylvania, entered eternal rest with his lord and savior on Friday,
September 27, 2024.
Joel was born on August 25th, 1948, in Section Alabama to James Autman Tilley and Ollie May
Cook-Tilley. He married the love of his life Doris Jean White on September 9th,1966 and
together they built a wonderful life together and they were blessed with three wonderful children,
Joel Dwight Tilley, Jeffery Stan Tilley, and Cindy Rena Tilley.
Joel was Holiness in faith and attended Forrest Hill Free Holiness Church. Joel was a deeply
spiritual man who shared God's love with others. He was an inspiration to all who knew him and
was loved and admired by many. Joel received the Holy Ghost in August of 1966 and the impact
of Joel's life will be felt for years to come. Joel loved gospel music and was a very accomplished
song leader touching the hearts of many throughout the years with his beautiful voice.
Joel held various jobs throughout his working career from co-owning Fyffe Hardware for many
years to working for Coca cola, Dr. Pepper, Golden Flake Potato Chips, and was a farmer, as
well as truck driver for many years traveling across The United States. Joel, loved people and
never met a stranger. However, the thing he loved the most, was being a Poppa and cherished
every minute he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years Doris Tilley, Son, Dwight Tilley (Faye),
Daughter, Cindy Hepler (Ricky), Daughter-in-law, Krista Tilley, nine grandchildren, and five great
grandchildren, Sisters Dorothy Hendrix, Mary Womack, and Charlotte Harris (Glenn), Sister in
law, Clarise Anderson, and a host of special friends and loved ones.
Joel was proceeded in death by his parents, Autman and Ollie May Tilley, Son, Stan Tilley,
Brothers, Dempsey, Phillip, and David Tilley, Sisters, Helen Tilley, and Ada Ruth Barrier. As well
as his father-and mother-in-law, Pauley and Odell White and Sister-in-law, Evelyn Nappier.
The family would like to send out a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Alabama Home
Heath (Tessa Crane, Ruth Wright), and his physical therapist (Julie-Ann, and Bentley) as they
were all so wonderful, and we appreciate all the love and compassion shown to Joel over the
last couple of years as they became extended family to him.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Chris Tilley, Austin Tilley, Cole Hepler, Brock Hepler, Noah
Pritchett, and special friend Bro. Mike Avans.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 4PM at Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Terry Wright & Bro. Bradley Wootten officiating. Burial will follow in Old Sardis Holiness Church Cemetery with Rainsville Funeral Home, Inc. directing, www.rainsvillefuneralhome.com. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28th from 12PM-8PM & Sunday, September 29th from 9AM-4PM.