Rose Marie Graf Tillman passed away on September 13th, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 95. Rose Marie was born April 12, 1931, in Del Rio, Texas to John Antonio Graf and Rosa Elizabeth Pingenot. She was preceded in death by her husband, James T. Tillman, stepdaughter, Sherry A. Harbin, her parents John A. Graf and Rosa Graf, sister Olive Rose Graf and brother John Edward Graf of Del Rio, Texas. She is survived by sister Ruth Ann Kusenberger of San Antonio, Texas, stepchildren, James R. Tillman (Rita), George Tillman (Pat), Sheilla R. Beyette (Don), Roxanna Spindler and Stephanie Koch (Charles), five step grandchildren, six step great grandchildren, many cousins as well as numerous nephews and nieces who affectionately called her Mimi.
Rose Marie graduated high school from Sacred Heart Academy, which was run by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, in Del Rio, Texas in 1949. She worked for Southwest Abstract Company in Del Rio for almost 20 years. She then moved to San Antonio and worked for Commercial Title Company and an Insurance Company until her retirement. She married James “Jim” Tillman on June 29th, 1968. Marie and Jim’s house came to be known as the “Tillman Hotel” because of the numerous family and friends that were welcomed to stay with them during their travels to San Antonio.
Marie was active in St. Thomas More Catholic Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was also a Charter member of the Alamo Heroes Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and was Chaplain for several years. She was an avid bowler for over 70 years. Another one of Marie’s favorite hobbies was genealogy where she traveled throughout the United States, France and Germany with her sister, Ruth, researching the Graf, Pingenot, and Tillman family histories. She wrote several books on the subject.
Services for Marie will take place on Monday, September 28th, 2026 at The Village at Incarnate Word’s St. Joseph Chapel. A Visitation will be held at 10:30am, followed by a rosary to be conducted by Fr. Billy Morrell at 11:00am. A funeral Mass will be concelebrated by Fr. Jim Rutowski and Fr. Billy Morrell at 11:30am with a reception immediately following the Mass at the Heritage Hall at The Village of the Incarnate Word. Interment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:15pm. The family would like to thank Fr. Jim Rutowski, the caregivers at Sisters Care, and the staff at The Village of the Incarnate Word for all the loving care they provided to Marie. A special thank you also to her wonderful friends who kept her in prayer.
Flowers or donations may be sent to The Village at Incarnate Word.
