Joseph Edward Tillman

On Saturday, November 27 2021, Joseph Edward Tillman departed this earth and transitioned to his Father's house, where there are many mansions. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he was the 6th and youngest child of the late Mr. George Lane Tillman (Lummy) and Mrs. Eva Margaret Whitaker Tillman.
Joseph was named after his uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather on his mother's side, all named Joseph Whitaker. He was affectionately known as "Jake" by his friends and family. From time to time, some would refer to him as "Joe." However, his mother and his wife always called him by his name, Joseph.
Jake graduated from White Station High School on May 24, 1979, along with his life-long friends Reverend Anthony "Hanny" Morris, who preceded him in death, and Robert Caldwell. Jake was a Tennessee High School All-State football player that walked-on to the University of Tennessee's football team during his freshman year and earned playing time.
He did not complete his college education at the University of Tennessee because God had other plans for him. Joseph graduated from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education on May 11, 1996. He later went on to receive his Master of Science from the University of Maryland University College, an executive certificate from Georgetown University in Nonprofit Management, and a couple of Chief Information Officer executive certificates.
Joseph left Tennessee in 1981 and moved to Washington, DC with his older sister. He loved listening to reggae music, especially Bob Marley. Jake would be "jammin in the name of the Lord!" Over time, he befriended Courtney Morrison, a neighbor of Jamaican descent that lived one block over from his brother-in-law and sister, Darryl and Judith Gibson.
One summer evening at a party in 1986, Courtney, no longer just a neighbor and more like a brother, introduced Jake to a fine "tenderoni" that stole his heart. Joan McLeod became Joan Tillman on May 25, 1989. From courting to marriage, Jason and Joey, their two sons, were born out of their love that flourished over 35 years.
In the mid 1990's, Joan rushed Jake to Holy Cross hospital where he was diagnosed with renal failure. He ended up on dialysis for several years. His close friend, Daniel Bailey, spoke with him often and encouraged him. It was during the Christmas holiday season of 2000, when they received the best gift ever, the call that changed his outlook. He was officially a recipient of a kidney.
Jake was the king of crafting nicknames and calling you by it, even if he didn't create it. His children and grandchildren were affectionately called Zimbabwe or Jay (Jason), Cookie Packus or JoJo (Joey), Kenzie (Mackenzie), Princess Mya (Mya), Camboonga (Cameron), and Chief Lightning (Lennox). If he couldn't remember a lady's name, he would often refer to her as "Aunty."
Joseph was a cab driver for over thirty years in Washington, DC. He started with a taxi company and eventually owned his own cab. After he graduated from UDC, he began working for DC's Department of Health and eventually became an IT specialist. He worked for the city for over 10 years. He then worked with his friend, Kevin Haughton, as an office manager soliciting contract work on behalf of Triple A Locating Services, LLC.
Jake was loved by many and he left an indelible mark on just about everyone he met. He loved folks just as much as he loved playing dominoes and wearing bucket hats--something that started at a young age. He lit up every room he walked into, including but not limited to the bathroom. Jake rarely, if ever, wore jeans. He wore slacks, button-up or collared shirts with the neck open, his jewelry: necklaces, rings, and bracelets, and of course, a hat-- mostly his white bucket hat!
Jason, their oldest son, threw Jake a 60th birthday gathering on Saturday, Oct 9, 2021, 5 days before his actual birthday. Joseph was not feeling his best but still managed to entertain his guests and be surrounded by family and close friends. No one knew that this would be the last celebration Jake would physically attend. Shortly thereafter, he spent over a month in the intensive care unit battling the effects of COVID-19. By the grace of God, his donor kidney gave him 20 plus additional years of life to be celebrated, educated, and to profoundly impact all that loved him. However, this time around at Holy Cross Hospital, God decided to call home his "Main Apple-Scrapple."
Joseph leaves the following to cherish his memory: His loving wife, Joan Tillman, Sons--Jason and Joey Tillman, Daughter-in-law, Lynn Tillman (Jason's wife), four grandchildren-- Mackenzie, Mya, Cameron, and Lennox, 5 siblings and 2 brothers-in-law-- Phyllis Tillman of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Darryl and Judith Gibson of Lanham, MD, Paul and Vita Hodge of Harrisonburg VA, George Tillman and Kevin Tillman of Memphis, TN, his first nephew that went just about everywhere he did, Phillip Tillman, the rest of his nieces and nephews-Kim (Ki-yom), O'Dena (Stirstee), Margaret (Poonsberry), Kevin, Dara (Nachez), Ebony, Ramses, Isis, Nicholas, Kedrick, Omar, Shelbi (Snuga Rahgus), and Destiny. Jake also leaves a host of grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends to treasure all of the time spent together.
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