Glenn Darnell Tillman, better known as “Darnell”, was born a New Year’s baby on January 1, 1957, in Forest City, Arkansas, to the Parents of Sam and Thelma Tillman. Glenn was the sixth of Seven children, and the third oldest son. He accepted Christ at the early age of 12 years old, he was baptized at the family church St. Luke Baptist Church in Marvell, Arkansas. Glenn grew up in his hometown Marvell, where his family farmed for a living. At the tender age of nine-years old, he was driving the large tractors. He began earning and saving his money. By the time he made 16 years-old he bought his first car, a 1972 Mustang, boy was that a major accomplishment. He learned at an early age the importance of working and saving.
May 1976, Glenn graduated from Marianna High School in Marianna, Arkansas. After high school he continued to work on the farm, until he made a life changing decision to move to Detroit, Michigan to be near his older siblings. He wanted to start a new life for himself. His older brother Robert, better known as Bob, was his best friend and mentor. He played an instrumental role in his life. Teaching him about life, responsibility, work ethics, and how to be a man. When Bob passed away it left a tremendous void in his life, he described it as if a piece of him left with his brother.
The summer of 1976 Glenn met Jill and vowed to her she would one day be his wife. On December 4, 1981, Glenn packed up his belongings and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana to be with his fiancé Jill. On March 27, 1982, they were married in holy matrimony, and been married for over 40 years. From this union combined, they have four wonderful children: two sons and two daughters, Denetria, Glenn, Robert, and Janae’. After marrying his wife Jill, he joined Greater Little Rock Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop Johnny M. Williams. Several years later, he became a member of The Church at New Orleans, under the leadership of Bishop Kevin Boyd Sr.
Glenn was a good husband, great father, and an excellent protector and provider. Family was everything to him, he loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was dependable, one whom his wife could always count on. He helped clean inside the house as well as the outside. He made many sacrifices and was selfless as it relates to taking care of his family. He was very passionate about his work, and indeed a work-a-holic. He was truly a handworker, his motto “hard work pays off, but you have to learn how to work smart.” Everything he did was in the spirit of excellence and was such an organized person. He neatly kept every check stub from every job he worked, as well as all the household bills. He loved to dress, and everything was coordinated and had to match.
His career as a Diesel Mechanic began in 1981 at Greyhound Bus Lines, he was hired as a bus maintenance worker. Within a year he was promoted to a Diesel Mechanic, and he started out with little to no knowledge. God gave him the will, desire, and great determination to learn the aspects of his job. He was eager to learn a new trade because he wanted to be able to provide a good life for his family. After five years at Greyhound, God opened up an awesome opportunity for him at Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of New Orleans, La. Glenn was a dedicated and loyal employee. One year he worked straight without missing a day of his 13-year tenure with RTA.
In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans, he moved his family to Jackson, Mississippi, along with his church family, The Church at New Orleans. Upon agreement with his wife, he decided not to return to New Orleans, so he resigned from his job at RTA. He wanted to make a change and try something different. He was fascinated with airplanes and how they operated, so he tried his hand as an Aircraft Mechanic. Glenn, his wife Jill, and daughter Janae’ moved to Denver, Colorado where he enrolled in a major aircraft school program. Although he chose not to complete the program, he was certainly proud of himself for trying and so was wife and children. With constant pressure from his sister-n-law Jackie, he moved his family to Houston, Texas in June of 2007. He acknowledged it was the best move he ever made. God favored him and blessed him with a position as a Diesel Mechanic at Metro Transit of Houston.
October of 2016, Glenn and Jill joined Bear Creek Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor David Welch. Glenn was a faithful member until his health begin to fail. Over the years working as a mechanic, God used Glenn as a big brother, mentor, and role model to many. He encouraged and taught young men how to be men, husbands, and fathers. In addition, he was a role model to his nephews whom he occasionally counseled. On December 9, 2021, his co-workers at Metro Transit celebrated Glenn by giving him the most wonderful retirement party one could ever have. He was thrilled and so proud to have worked with such great co-workers and an awesome company. After 14 years of service at Metro, Glenn retired on December 31, 2021.
In his early years, Glenn enjoyed fishing, crabbing, barbecuing on his grill, and traveling. He also enjoyed fine dining, watching football, keeping his car cleaned, gardening, and maintaining the lawn. He was a lawn-guru! The summer of 2014, the Homeowner’s Association awarded him as the best lawn of the month in the neighborhood.
On December 28, 2021, Glenn was diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer. During his battle he rededicated his life back to God on May 31, 2022, directed and led by Overseer Gracie W. Lyman (Aunt Gracie of New Orleans, La.) He fought long hard to beat the disease, but he lost his battle on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 4:40am. Glenn was preceded in death by his oldest brother Robert Tillman, his beloved Mother Thelma Wells Tillman, his Father Sam Tillman, and his youngest brother Ronnie Tillman.
Glenn leaves to cherish and carry his legacy of love, family and hard work, his loving wife
Jill Williams Tillman, his four awesome children: Denetria Russell Langford (Calvin) of Avondale, Arizona, Glenn Darnell Tillman Jr., of Houston, Texas, Robert Carr Tillman, of Katy, Texas, and Janae’ Arianne Tillman of Katy, Texas. Two lovely Granddaughters: Kayleen and Kamyla Langford of Avondale, Arizona. Three loving sisters: Leveria Tillman Davenport (Labon), of Marvell, Arkansas, Gloria Dean Tillman, and Loesteen Tillman of Detroit, Michigan. Five loving Sister-n-laws: Jackie Williams Session (Steve) of Richmond, Texas, Joyce Hills Engham of Mesquite, Texas, Janell Hills Montgomery of Clarksdale, Tennessee, Jolisa Roslyn Hills of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Verna Merrick Williams of Hammond, Louisiana. Three amazing Uncles: Arvell Wells, Lee Artis Wells, of Detroit, Michigan, and Earsell Wells of West Helena, Arkansas. One awesome Aunt, Curleen Sumpter (Johnnie) of Barton, Arkansas. Glenn also leaves a host of amazing cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends, and co-workers.
A visitation for Glenn will be held Friday, August 26, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, KATY, TX 77494. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, KATY, TX 77494. A graveside service will occur Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Forest Park Southwest Cemetery, 9040 FM 359 Road, Richmond, TX 77406.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.katyfh.com for the Tillman family.
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