Joan Roberts Tilson, 89, of Sandy Springs, GA, died on February 18, 2015, at Floyd Medical Center.
She was born April 13, 1925, in Brookhaven, MS, daughter of the late John M. and Vivian Sauls Roberts, and had lived over 55 years in her home in Sandy Springs. For the last year and a half, she lived with her daughter in Summerville, GA.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Billy B. Tilson; a son, Mark H. Tilson; a daughter, Vivian E. Tilson; a brother, Johnny Roberts; and her twin sister, Matilde Roberts.
Joan was a long time member of the Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church of Sandy Springs and taught Sunday School there for several years. She also participated in the church's Women's Auxillary, Church Periodicals, and St. Anne's Chapter. She graduated valedictorian from St. Mary of the Pines High School in Chatawa, MS, in 1942. Joan attended Ward Belmont, Brenau College where she joined Tri Delta, and graduated from the University of Texas in 1947. She was a charter member of the Sandy Springs Garden Club and won the contest of naming the club "Trowel and Error." She was the first parliamentarian and also represented the club at the Rich's Garden Center.
Joan was a Montessori preschool teacher for over 33 years. She taught at Ashdun Hall in Chamblee, GA, where she the first teacher to have young children grow their own vegetable garden at school. She went on to open her own preschool, the East Cobb Montessori School in Marietta, GA. After retiring from teaching, she obtained her realtor's license and worked for Coldwell Banker in Roswell, GA. Mrs. Tilson was a lover of all animals, especially her boxers and Siamese cats.
She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Tilson, and her son-in-law, Gregory Reynolds.
Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church of Sandy Springs, with a reception afterwards.
Donations can be made to Sunkissed Acres Animal Rescue in Summerville, GA, or to Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church of Sandy Springs.