Mrs. Blanche Norwood Tilley: Obituary

Obituaries

Mrs. Blanche Norwood Tilley, age 92, of Blue Ridge, GA passed away on July 23, 2014.Born on July 4th, 1922 in Monroe County, TN, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Julia Burchfield Norwood. Blanche was the 5th of 10 children in a large farm family and grew up in Monroe County and Benton, TN. All of her siblings preceded her in death.

Blanche was an accountant for many years in the community, working for Blue Ridge Telephone Company, Fannin Regional Hospital and TDS until her retirement at age 74. She also prepared taxes and provided accounting services for a number of people in the Blue Ridge area for many years, often as a service to her friends and family. She was a talented accountant and polished professional with a kind heart and a gentle dry wit. Blanche was also very active in the formation of Mineral Springs Center and served on its board of directors. She was a pioneer and advocate for children and adults with special needs in Fannin County and the Copper Basin Area. She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge and was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Mr. William Howard “W.H.” Tilley, Jr. in 2011.

Survivors include her daughter, Marlene Tilley; daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Gene Middleton; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Kim Tilley; grandchildren Julia Middleton Slaughter, Alex Middleton, Lindsay, Paige, Jamie and Josh Tilley; great grandchild Audrey Slaughter; several nieces and nephews. Blanche put her family first in all things, and was a beloved “Neeno” to her grandchildren. She had an extraordinary bond with her daughter Marlene, and was devoted to her care.

The family would like to thank the team of caregivers who provided skilled and loving care to Blanche and Marlene in the home during the last three years. Special thanks also to nephew Howard Tilley for his great service and devotion to the family.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Sunday, August 3, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. from the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge with Rev. Bob Richardson officiating. Music will be provided by Rev. Bob Richardson, Tracy Griffith, Jon Alwell and Debbie Jones. Interment will follow in the Chastain Memorial Park Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Don Hall, Ben Turner, Andy Middleton, Justin Slaughter, Jim Barker, Johnny Scearce and Layne Welch. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Hubert Stewart and Bill Jones.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, August 2, 2014 from 5:00 p.m till 9:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge, 907 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 or to the Mineral Springs Center, P.O. Box 28, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements.

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