(Rebecca) Lee Tillery, born in Scotland Neck, NC, February 3, 1965, daughter of James and Janice, sister to Catherine and Elizabeth, passed unexpectedly and peacefully at her home on January 12, 2021.
Lee (don’t dare call her Rebecca!) lived a life few of us would know how to live. As she was joining this world, a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed and impaired. Lee was not expected to live beyond the age of 5, but as always she had the last laugh and LIVED to 55!
What Lee would want you to know: After moving to Raleigh, she became a March-of-Dimes poster child; was the first in NC to receive a handicapped license plate, even though she couldn’t drive; became a NCSU fan after a promo with basketball star, David Thompson; attended CP Center/school in Raleigh; taught her niece her ABCs; loved her time as a library volunteer at AB Combs Elementary and working at Easter Seals UCP; enjoyed playing cards, ‘boogying’, dancing (without any rhythm) and simply ‘going’; made sure all knew her sisters were OLDer, but she was not the baby; acknowledged her legs did not work, but her wheels would get her there just the same; endlessly loved her family and friends.
Lee’s lessons of courage and strength: be blind to differences while celebrating being different; express empathy and compassion, not sympathy and pity; sportingly laugh at yourself; offer patience and acceptance; if she can do it, you can too, and life is good. Lee enjoyed being the center of attention, talking to and meeting everyone, toasting with whatever was in her hand and being as independent as possible. She always found a way to talk ‘you’ into anything, taking her along, letting her do this or that with stubbornness and determination. Lee was a beacon of light that remained shining on everyone and in every space she occupied.
Lee’s life would not have been so full had it not been for the countless organizations, doctors, friends and loved ones who supported, lifted and encouraged her along the way. We are especially grateful to her caregivers, who were like her adopted family, LaTonya Chisholm with her son Josh and Mother, Joann; Marie Cessay and her church family at Church of the Holy Cross.
Lee leaves behind her sisters, Catherine Tillery and partner Kathy Elias, and Elizabeth Byrd and partner Art Howard; niece Ashley Brooks and husband Troy Brooks and nephew Matthew Byrd; Jade and Carson Brooks, her great niece and nephew.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Janice Tillery. The family will have a private service and looks forward to hosting a ‘Lee-type’ celebration with friends and loved ones when this awful pandemic allows.
In remembrance of Lee, donations can be made to Easter Seals UCP of NC and feel free to raise your drink of choice and send her a toast.
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