Tillie Seay
Tillie Oneida Seay, 95, departed this life on Sunday, June 19, 2022, surrounded by family members at a local hospital.
She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Nov. 11, 1926, to Oneida Haliburton.
The death of Tillie's mother at an early age left her and Melvin Millard Haliburton, her only sibling, to be adopted and raised by their Aunt Pressie and Uncle Butler. In a loving and religious household, they, along with 14 cousins, whom they affectionately referred to as their brothers and sisters were taught values and dignity.
She joined Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church in New Tyner at a tender age and remained a faithful member until her death. She served as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher, usher, and a member of the senior choir.
She was an active and intelligent young woman who excelled in academics and basketball, at Booker T. Washington High School and attended Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, on an educational scholarship.
Tillie found her soulmate in her childhood friend, the late Leonard (Willie) Seay Jr. Willie – tall, dark, and handsome, married Tillie in 1947; the union lasted 22 years and produced four beautiful children.
In her adult life, Tillie's passion was her children and family. She enjoyed playing softball on the co-ed team of the Tyner Cubs. She loved playing dominos, teaching her friends to drive, traveling with the church choir, diet cokes, crossword puzzles, and was an avid reader. Tillie also spent many years as a housekeeper for the Farr, Hedges, and Patton families. Her earlier employment was with Memorial Hospital and the Sportsman.
Friends and family describe Tillie as a "character," an affectionate term meaning funny and feisty. She was always ready to give you a piece of her mind but would also give you her last of anything, making her a friend to all. Tillie's free spirit and love of life amassed many friends and extended family she nurtured.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Oneida, her son Maurice, and her brother Millard.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Brenda Seay Shelton of Chattanooga, Sharon Seay of Kennesaw, GA, and Kevin Seay (Deidre) of Gardena, CA; grandchildren: Randall Pickett of Chattanooga, Kectia Shelton of Chattanooga, Camillia "Lady" Stewart (Eric) of Knoxville, TN, Duval Seay of Roanoke, VA, and Joshua Daniels of Phoenix, AZ; great-grandchildren, Brewen Welcher of Chattanooga, TaMaurice "Tee" Higgins of Cincinnati, OH, and Shakia "Keke" Stewart of Oak Ridge, TN; great-great-grandchildren, Ze' Yana Stewart and LaRez Dendy, both of Oak Ridge, TN; nieces, Deborah Kyles-Williams, Port St Lucie, FL, and Michelle Kyles Dawson, Belleville, MI; nephew, Heath Haliburton Sr. of Chattanooga; great-great-niece, Jalissa Haliburton-Reeves of Dayton OH and great-great-nephew, Heath Haliburton Jr. of Las Vegas, NV; special cousins, Rosetta Strickland of Chattanooga, Patricia Broadnax of Jackson, TN, Harvey Broadnax of Chattanooga, and Pressie Wasson of Stockton, CA; best friend forever, Mrs. Emma Jean Broadnax; surrogate daughters, Wilma McClure Brown, Loretta Lofton, and Shirley Davenport; her longtime caregiver, Dorothy Wiley Reed; and a host of loving cousins, family, and friends, which Tillie called “My Kinfolks.”
Tillie, indeed, a phenomenal woman, was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who will be missed but never forgotten. In honor of “Tillie,” we ask that you consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association. P.O. Box 41428, Nashville, TN 37204.
Mrs. Seay will lie in state on Saturday, July 1, at 9:30 a.m. at Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church.
Burial will be in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.