Geraldine R. Tiller

Geraldine Rosetta Tiller, passed away peacefully at the age of 100 years, 8 months young, on June 14, 2019. Geraldine was affectionately known as Mom, Grandma, Mom-Mom Tiller, Aunt Geraldine and Ms. Geraldine. Geraldine Rosetta Brown was born at home, in the rural community of Butlertown, located in Worton, Maryland, on October 15, 1918, to the late Eugene and Dola Brown. She was educated up to the 7th grade in a little schoolhouse located in Worton, Maryland. Geraldine spent her career as a domestic and a factory worker in Kent County, Maryland. In the 1940’s, Geraldine went to work at Vita Foods Pickling Plant in Chestertown, Maryland. She was one of the first group of African American women to be hired. Geraldine and her fellow female African American coworkers were pioneers because the plant was still segregated at the time. Geraldine opted to work at the plant during a time when the majority of African American women were either stay-at-home mothers or housekeepers. She was employed with Vita Foods until its closing in 1973. Geraldine married Howard Tiller, Sr., on July 20, 1940, in Still Pond, Maryland. They lived in the local community of Big Woods, located in Worton, Maryland. Howard and Geraldine were married for 49 years, prior to his passing in 1989. After the passing of her husband and siblings, Geraldine ascended to the matriarch of the family. In addition to being a lifetime member of the Big Woods community, Geraldine was also lifelong member of the New Christian Chapel of Love Church, as well as s a member of the Blue-Ribbon Chorus. In addition to her husband and parents, Geraldine was predeceased by eight siblings: six sisters, Mary, Irene, Elsie, Dorothy, Frances and Lillie-Mae; and two brothers, Leonard, and William “Sonny”. Geraldine is survived by her four children, Amy Wilson (Worton, MD), James Alfred Tiller (Middletown, DE), Howard Eugene Tiller (Worton, MD) and Gloria Tiller Needam (Chestertown, MD); 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, LolaTaylor (Chestertown, MD); brother-in-law, Samuel Tiller (Chestertown, MD); and a host of nieces and nephews.

Geraldine R. Tiller

October 15, 1918 - June 14, 2019