Norman George Tilghman

A Time to be Born: Norman George Tilghman was born on Sunday, July 2, 1944, to the late Evelyn Tilghman. He was the third of four children and a native of Princess Anne, Maryland. A Time to Learn: Norman was a graduate of Maryland State College, now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Social Science and a minor in French Language (1966) and his Masters of Education degree with a concentration in Guidance and Counseling (1982). A Time to Love: Norman joined in Holy Matrimony to Dr. Patricia Tilghman in 1979 and to this union two children were born. A Time to Serve: While a student at Maryland State College, the call to ministry was prevalent in Norman’s life and as a result, the United Methodist Conference assigned him to pastor three churches in the Crisfield, Maryland community. He acted in this capacity from 1962 through 1965, his junior year at Maryland State College. Upon graduation from Maryland State College, Norman taught History at Marion Consolidated Middle School, Carter G. Woodson, and Crisfield High Schools in Maryland. While at Woodson High, he also taught French and was an assistant coach for the basketball team. Norman enlisted and rendered his service in the United States Army in 1967. In 1971, Norman began his 40-year career at UMES. Initially, he was offered a position in the Office of Residence Life as a Residence Counselor in Wicomico Hall. This was a job that he truly loved and one that gave him the opportunity to work with and guide students as they prepared for career opportunities in a variety of occupations. Whether at a high school or at the university, Norman was always known for helping and encouraging the students under his charge. Norman was instrumental in starting the on-campus student radio station, forerunner to the present WESM Radio Station. He also served as President of the UMES Tri-County Alumni Chapter. In addition to serving as a Residence Counselor, Norman served as the Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment, Assistant Director of the Upward Bound Program, and later, the Director of the Upward Bound Program. He directed this highly acclaimed program until his retirement in 2010. Norman was a lifelong member of Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Princess Anne, Maryland where he served as a Sunday School teacher, and Director of the Methodist Youth Fellowship. He also served on numerous church committees and was the Choir Coordinator, Certified Lay Speaker, Lay Leader, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and delegate to the Peninsula-Delaware Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). A Time to Depart: On December 14, 2023, God claimed His gift to humanity, Norman George Tilghman, to rest from his labor. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Dr. Patricia Tilghman; son, Jason Tilghman (Kendra); daughter, Ayanna Tilghman and two grandsons, Devin and Cameron Tilghman. He is survived by one sister, Evelyn Christy and one brother, John Thomas Tilghman. He was preceded in death by his brother, Leon Tilghman, Sr. (Janice). Norman will be remembered by his nephew, Leon Tilghman Jr., and his nieces, LaReine Cropper (Sewell), Tamarra Tilghman, Trina Tilghman-Dix (Charles, Jr.), Kayla Kindle, Sha’kerah Tilghman, and Destani Dix. His memory will live on through several great nephews, great nieces, cousins, extended family of Littleton King, Sr./Oaksville, MD and a host of dear friends.

Norman George Tilghman

July 2, 1944 - December 14, 2023