Psalm 27:14
Her recital of this passage toward the end of her earthly journey will forever live in our hearts in affirmation. Dorothy Jean Tillery Sliman went peacefully to meet her Lord on Monday, July 5, surrounded by loved ones and prepared to receive heavenly rewards after many years of challenges. Her faith, courage and strength were at the forefront as she battled multiple health conditions for the last several years, any one of which might have caused some to give up. But she continued on to love, care for and worry about others. Born in Crosby, Mississippi on July 16, 1935 to John Bunyan and Modena Tillery, she moved with the family to Baton Rouge where she had the honor of working as a court reporter for Judge Joe Sanders in the first establishment of the Family Court in the parish in the 1950s. It was during her courthouse years that she met and married the love of her life, Fred Sliman, Jr., on November 28, 1957, during his early years in a legendary law enforcement career. Eight years later they welcomed their only child, Fred III, and she became a wonderful stay at home mom, teaching and sharing love and laughs. During his early school years, she became regularly involved with the Broadmoor Elementary PTO and continued for another tour years later when her beloved granddaughter Kaitlyn attended. Principals and teachers over a thirty year span became lasting friends. She was also proud to volunteer with Council on Aging to deliver Meals on Wheels for several years. Known far and wide for her loving spirit, empathy, humor and compassion, she will be missed by so many whose lives she touched along the way. Preceded in death by her husband, Colonel Fred Sliman, Jr., her parents, J.B. Tillery and Modena Blanchard; stepfather Harold Blanchard; her grandparents and many beloved aunts and uncles. Among those left to cherish her memory and carry on in the example she set are son Fred Sliman III and wife Barbara; granddaughter, best buddy and chief caregiver Kaitlyn Sliman; granddaughter Kasey Givens; great-granddaughter Lorelei Parker; cousins James Brown Jr. and wife Brenda; John Grady Brown and wife Jennifer; their children James “Tre’” Brown III, Mckenzie Gilbert, Kamryn Dixon, Kirby Boudreaux and their spouses and children; and, among many dear friends, her nearly 50-year daily coffee companion and, as she said, later life sister Nancy Oehrle. Pallbearers are Jim Brown, John Brown, Chip Landry, Russell Parker, Clay Duke and Eric Coleman. Honorary pallbearers are Doug Welborn (who she called her other son over the years), Dan Hoffman, Luc Johnson, Reginald Brown, Alexander Park, Kevin Sydnor, Benton Kidd and her Beloved Belaire Boys Wes Bourne, Cecil Vaughn, Randy Reeves, Bruce Dodd, Kenn Norman and James Abbott. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 7 at Rabenhorst East, 11000 Florida Blvd., from 9:00 a.m. until 12 pm noon. Graveside service will be held at Roseland Cemetery off Hwy. 33 in Gloster, Mississippi at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Bobby Dale Callender. Special thanks to her longtime physician and friend, Dr. Vincent Tumminello and to the caring and compassionate staff of Modern Hospice
