Marion Norwood Tillett devoted more than 30 years to building and improving the education system in Person County as a teacher, principal and school system administrator. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, Sunday school teacher, community leader, and friend. Mrs. Tillett died Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at age 94.
A native of Durham, Mrs. Tillett graduated from Durham High School and received her bachelor's degree from Duke University. She taught 8th grade at Helena School before becoming principal of Central School in downtown Roxboro. Later, she was director of federal (ESEA) funds for the Person County school system. Mrs. Tillett was a charter member of the Roxboro Woman's Club and was its third president. She was also a member of the Roxboro Garden Club, the Research Club, numerous bridge clubs, and served on the Person County Zoning Board. A member of Long Memorial United Methodist Church, she taught the F.O. Carver Sunday school class for many years. She was a long-time member of the church's United Methodist Women, and served as president several times.
Born Dec. 23, 1918, she was the daughter of George Franklin Norwood and Mamie Alexander Woody Norwood. Her only sibling, Frank, died in infancy. In 1948, she married Benjamin Wyche Tillett, who preceded her in death in 1999. The couple lived in the Ca-Vel area and later moved to Chub Lake Road in Roxboro. They raised two sons and a daughter. For the past nine years, she was a resident of Canterbury House where she received wonderful care and developed many friendships with staff and other residents.
Surviving are her sons, Ben Tillett and wife, Harriett of Roxboro and Noell Tillett and wife Kathy of Durham; her daughter, Mitch Wood and husband John of Raleigh; grandsons Marc Tillett and wife Kristin of Durham; Lee Tillett of Raleigh, and Brittain Wood and wife Anna of Morrisville; granddaughters, Cera Benbow and husband Devon of Pensacola, FL and Christen Tillett of Roxboro.
Visitation will be on Sunday, February 24 from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. at Brooks and White Funeral Home, 907 Durham Road, Roxboro, NC.
A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Tirzah United Methodist Church cemetery, 4553 Surl-Mt. Tirzah Road, Timberlake, NC with Chaplain David Fox of Liberty Hospice presiding.
Pallbearers will be Marc Tillett, Lee Tillett, Brittain Wood, Devon Benbow, Arthur Tillett, and Wiley Bumpass, Jr.
Flowers are acceptable, or memorial contributions may be made to Long Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 310, Roxboro, NC 27573 or Mt. Tirzah United Methodist Church, 4553 Surl-Mt. Tirzah Rd., Timberlake, NC 27583.
Condolences may be sent to www.brooksandwhite.com
