Virginia King Tillson

Virginia King Tillson, loving wife of the late Major General John Charles Fremont Tillson III, passed away on Saturday April 22, 2017 at her home in Brandon Wilde at the age of 100.

Graveside services were held at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia with Dr. Matt Rich, pastor of Reid Memorial Church, officiating. The service included memorials and readings by family members, a poetic eulogy written and presented by Naomi Williams, and concluded with an a cappella solo of the Lord’s Prayer by Elizabeth Tillson, Virginia’s daughter-in-law.
Virginia (“Ginny”) was the only child of Harvey and Vivienne King of El Paso, Texas. She graduated with honors from Wellesley College at 19 and received her Master’s degree from UCLA at 20. She married her childhood friend John Tillson after he graduated from West Point. She was his Yellow Rose of Texas because of her beauty, charm, kindness, and benevolence. Ginny was a Life Master at bridge and an award-winning tennis player. Her elegant dinner parties were legendary. John always considered himself blessed to have Ginny by his side.

She was preceded in death by John, her husband of 60 years, and by her parents. She is survived by her son John C. F. Tillson IV and his wife Elizabeth, daughter Kathryn Lambert Tillson, three grandchildren - Heather Galloway, George P. Waters, Jr. and wife Kate, and Susannah Tillson and husband Attilio Castellarin - and eight great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Student Scholarship Fund of Brandon Wilde, of which she was a strong supporter and a committee member. Please send contributions to Brandon Wilde, Attention Scholarship Fund, 4275 Owens Road, Evans, Georgia 30809.

Ginny was greatly beloved by her family and her multitude of friends. She will be sorely missed by all.

The family wish to give special recognition and thanks to Jacqueline Smith for her devoted care of Viriginia.

God was gentle with Virginia’s passing. May He continue to be gentle with her soul. Requiesce in pace.