Bev was born in Sioux City, Iowa on February 25, 1928. She was a farm girl; she was proud of her farm experiences. Her caretaking of family, began early, being the oldest child in a farming family. She was the oldest of the 4 children born to Hazel Dell (Thacker) Ernst and Leslie Carrol Ernst “Cotton”. Bev’s mother, Hazel used to joke that the 8 years between Bev and her siblings (Jean, Ray, and Marvin) was because Beverly shared their bed and bedroom during the depression. Hazel claimed it was because they couldn’t afford to heat the entire house.
Bev adored her father, “Cotton.” She often tried to sneak into town with him when he went for coffee or to play cards with other farmers. Even after he accidently backed over her when she hid behind the car on one of those excursions!
Family meant everything to Bev. She had a heart full of love for her family, as many know from her telling about and celebrations of their successes.
She loved, flowers, music, and dancing almost as much as she loved her family.
She married Robert Lewis Tillery “Bob” on the 27th of November 1947. That he was a good dancer, kind-hearted, and “so handsome” influenced her to say yes.
While a Navy wife living on the West Coast Bev would happily cook for others. The young couple shared their apartment with Bob’s many sailor friends, sometimes letting them sleep on the floor and in the bathtub when the hour was too late to head back. She talked often about using her camera to take pictures of people as a side business to earn money. Bev picked fruit and worked various jobs at that time.
Bev was independent enough to drive clear across country by herself; even when mountain roads, snow or rain caused visibility problems forcing her to drive with the window down to wipe the windshield clear. Her adventurous spirit lead to many family camping trips, exploits and other memorable events. These often included taking along the kids’ friends and listening to constant refrains of “99 bottles of pop on the wall.”
She never wanted to interrupt anyone else’s exploits with her problems; refusing to quit a fishing trip when a hook got caught in the back of her head or when she sat on a bee during a visit to Yellowstone.
When her brother, Ray, was in Vietnam she made sure he received care packages of cookies, Kool-aide, and candies. She made sure that there were extra packages sent for his platoon. When he was wounded and at the military hospitals for many surgeries, she took the time to travel there to be with him. His death haunted her, as did the death of Robert Lewis Tillery, Jr. (“Bobby Lou”) from spinal meningitis in 1952. Bev never wavered or stopped offering up prayers and concerns about family, friends, and their health.
Bev taught school for many years, not just in Miles City, Montana, but also in South Dakota. Often her students commented that they “wouldn’t have made it without her pushing” them through.
Bev amazingly remembered, not only her students, but their families too. She was a big believer in education. She liked going to the games when “her” students were playing. She was always willing to help with fund raisers and bake sales. She was well known for her Methodist bake sales Sour-cream Raisin pies. She enjoyed going out with her church group and friends, dancing, and traveling with them often. She looked forward to her “Friendship Group” dinners and get togethers. She took delight in planning surprises, gifts, and menus for them.
Beverly always promoted kindness and cheered on others to succeed. She loved people. Throughout her life she gave to others more than she received. She served others in many capacities, not only as a mother and grandmother, but as a teacher, volunteer, and as a caregiver. Beverly gave up many of her personal goals and desires in order to help others. She will be known and remembered by her love, forever.
Beverly is survived by her children: Luanne “Annie” Waldow (Allen), Vicky Hamm (Ralph), and Randall Tillery, her 4 grandchildren: Nick Hamm, Matthew Hamm (Jessica), Elizabeth (Waddington) Marmon (Kenneth Zachary), Rebecca (Waddington) Martinez, and her 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Jean and her brother, Marvin. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brother, Ray, and son, Robert Lewis, Jr.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Denise Harvey says
Oh my dear Bev,
You are the reason I am starting my 30th year of teaching. Thank you for always being my mentor, my cheerleader, and most of all my friend!!
You were so kind and taught me so much! I hear your voice in my head often! Give Bob a big hug for me too!
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers! I will miss you!
MARTHA CRANDALL says
my sympathy
Denise Harvey says
I love the photo you chose! She always was so beautiful and especially in red! This written tribute is precious!
Denise Harvey says
I love the photo you chose! She always was so beautiful and especially in red! This written tribute is precious!
Mary Ann says
Farewell, Bev. We had many fun times with you at UMC and when we were neighbors. God bless her family.
Jim & Mary Ann Liles
Jenny Hickox says
My dear sweet Bev. To know you was to love you! So full of spunk and life! Always so fun to be around, you kept life exciting. You certainly will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family & friends. Much love to you all, Jenny Hickox and family.
Allen Waldow says
Bev
You were a wonderful Mother in Law. I will never forget your last words to me. “You do not come and see me often enough”. Our talks will be greatly missed. You were always upbeat and full of questions.
Bev McNurlin says
My sympathies to you, Annie and family…..always enjoyed your mom and dad.
Sherry Oster says
My sympathies to your family! Bev and Bob were absolute treasures! Hugs and prayers!
Delores Cameron says
My sympathy to Bev’s family. I enjoyed her company as one of the retired teachers.
Danette & David Olguin says
I was so sad to hear of Bev’s passing but heaven just gained a beautiful angel! Bev was such a nice person and her love for her family was inspiring. She will truly be missed and my prayers are with her family at this time.
Jonette Doeden says
What a woman. Like so many Bev was very special to me. She was such a good substitute teacher I always knew my class was in good hands when she subbed! I appreciated her always. Thank you so much for bringing her to the library at Garfield to visit me. I loved it! She was a true treasure and I feel so blessed to have known her. My heart goes out to you all.
Steve Hofer says
Mrs. Tillery was a kind caring neighbor on Michigan Avenue in Huron. I think of her almost every morning while shaving around the scar on my chin – she came to my rescue when I was 12 years old and bleeding profusely from a smashed chin resulting from a bicycle wreck in the street in front of her home. She provided consolation, comfort and skilled “teacher type medical care” until my parents returned home and took me to the ER.
Although she probably did not remember the incident, her way of helping others throughout her life had a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to have known her. She is now certainly enjoying a special place in Heaven.
Mike Stoley says
Randy, Vicky, Ralph, and entire family: Very fond memories of your mother in the Huron Junior High and when visiting your home near the fairgrounds. Thoughts and prayers to each of you – so long since have had opportunity to see you. Mike_stoley@comcast.net; Manteca, CA
Wanda Linnell Richlen says
What a wonderful lady and teacher. Family in my thoughts and prayers.
Diane Fuhrman says
Such a caring spirit lived inside of you my dear. You certainly left your footprints in many hearts! May you RIP now.
Deeanna Briggs says
So many great memories and great smiles. You are loved and will be missed.
Libby, Becca, and family…thinking of you…
Grover Briggs says
Blessings to the family of a fine lady.
Orange says
My Sympathy to the Family & I really enjoyed reading Bev’s journey thru life and the photo gallery.
Maureen Larson says
My condolences to Bev’s family. She was a very special lady and am happy I got to know her.
Jerry and Bev Collins says
Dear Luanne Vicky Randy and families
We had the pleasure of getting to know Bev in a very special way and what a gracious lady she was. My husband has been pastor here for 6 years and now retired. We had wonderful times together and what a special lady she was. She had a heart of gold and always thinking of others. Also so many had dibs on her famous Sour cream Raisin pie during our bake sales at the church and had the pleasure of having had some that I was lucky to get. Also the many events that the church had she would furnish these pies. Have many fond memories of Bev and she was just a lovely lady with many talents and gifts that she shared with so many.
May God wrap His loving arms around you and give you the peace, love and comfort you are needing now and in the days ahead.
In Heart Felt sympathies
Pastor Jerry(retired)and Bev Collins
Lynn Chapman says
To Luanne, Vicky and Randy and grandchildren of my cousin Bev, my heart is with you all. It has been more years than I want to count since I have seen y’all, but have never forgotten ya. Now, with Bev’s promotion, the Tillery family is together again with Grandma Eda. I can imagine the stories they are all sharing, wouldn’t you like be a fly on the wall with big ears? Now, it is up to us, the next generation of the family to teach our descendants their history, which is a lot. May God be with each of you and be strong as you can. WE all come from excellent DNA, Together we will be okay. See you soon Cousin Beverly!!! Cousin Lynn Chapman, (living next door to your old house in Huron)
Neena Steadman says
I am so sorry for your loss! Bev was always kind and went out of her to help others! She made the best sour cream raisin pie! She always made sure she made one for Hobo Stew and would save me a piece! Rest In Peace!
David A Timperley says
The news of Bev’s passing brings back many memeries of our childhood growing up in Huron
we had a great street to grow up on and Bev and Bob were a part of our growing
Randy and had a lot of fun
God bless you Bev
David T
Shirley Lund says
So many memories of Bev & Bob as friends, both through teaching & church activities. Bev was a kind, generous, loving friend & a devoted wife, mother, grandmother. My sympathy to her family.
Scott Jens and Sue Jens says
Going to miss you Bev, you were so good in helping children, when I was teaching in Miles City, I will never forget that. Rest in peace you have accomplished much in your life time, we will miss you dearly.