Carolyn Joyce Tillery
Carolyn Joyce Tillery, 76, of Porterville, CA, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on Saturday, March 21, 2020, after a long battle with colon cancer. She was a fighter and never gave up fighting. Earlier in her life she won her battle with cervical cancer and was cancer free for 27 years.
She was born May 25, 1943 in Springdale, Arkansas. She was the youngest of six children.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Frank Cyrus and Novel Louise Ritter; sister Audrey Heart, brothers Jim Ritter, Harold Ritter and Robert Ritter; infant grandson Johnathon Michael Tillery and brotherin-law Jerry (Stanley) Gentry.
Carolyn is survived by her loving husband of 60 years Jerry G. Tillery, Sr.; daughter Delinda J. Gaither (Rodney P. Deshields), sons Jerry G. Tillery, Jr., Anthony (Philip) Tillery, Steven K. Tillery and Daniel R. Tillery all of Porterville, CA; sister Lois D. Gentry of Hulett, WY; grandchildren Kari Gaither (Esmeralda), Lori Sugden (Eddie), Jerry Tillery, III (Danette), Kayde Moss, Krista Tillery(candido), Liza Bacon (Jonathan), Brittney Tillery (Desiree), Alvin Hunt, Stephanie Tillery and Samantha Tillery; 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Carolyn married the love of her life Jerry G. Tillery, Sr. on June 27, 1959. They had 5 children.
Carolyn lived a full life as a wife, mother, grandmother and Inhome Caregiver. Most of all she loved her family. She loved making memories with her family such as having an Easter picnic and hunting eggs in the snow, acting as the town Santa Clause during Christmas time and making dozens of Christmas cookies with her grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed making big family dinners during the holidays or special occasions. She had a kind and giving heart. Many times she would take food to the people she cared for and if someone didn’t have a place to go for the holidays she would invite them to our home.
She had an upbeat and positive outlook on life. She had a vivacious personality and always made people laugh with her witty charm. She loved to tell jokes.
The family would like to say thank you to all the staff at Kaweah Delta Home Care, Optimal Hospice Care and the Roger S Good Cancer Treatment Center for all your kind and loving care. A special thank you to Dr. Owen Kim for all his kindness and support.
The family would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Carolyn will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.