Lawrence Donald Tillman went to be with the Lord on April 11, 2023 at the age of 96 after
battling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Lawrence was born in Theodore, AL to Allen and Pearl Tillman. The youngest of eight children,
he grew up and built his life in Mobile, AL.
He served two years in the Army during World War II, stationed in the Philippines as a tank
driver. After returning home from the war, he soon opened his first of many successful grocery
stores. It was in that first store that he met the love of his life. After knowing Elva for only four
days, and confirming she knew how to make homemade biscuits, he proposed to her and
promised to always take care of her. Eight days later, they married in her hometown of
Lucedale, MS. He kept his promise for nearly 71 years.
Lawrence and Elva proceeded to build a loving and godly home together for their three children.
He gained immense joy from spending time with his children. Lawrence loved to take his family
boating, camping, and to the mountains. He continued to cherish the bonds of family by making
countless memories with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren over the course of his life.
After selling his grocery stores, he later had a long career as a salesman for Zeigler Meat
Packing Company, along with many other successful ventures. Though once a young boy who
only completed the 4th grade, Lawrence was blessed to become a continually fruitful
businessman. After retiring at the age of 62, he had a passion for buying, remodeling, and
selling houses.
He has been an active member of Oak Park Church for the past 37 years and prior to that he
served for nearly 25 years at Hollinger's Island Baptist Church where he made lifelong friends.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Elva, and his children, Linda Thorton; Cynthia (Emmett)
Moseley; and Terry (Janine) Tillman; as well as his grandchildren, Neil Bolden, Chris Rice, Tara
Morrison, Trevor Whitten, Sr., Courtney McCurdy, Carla Burroughs, thirteen great-grandchildren,
and many nieces and nephews.
