Bertha Jane Tilley, age 81, of Cabool Missouri, went home to be with her Lord the morning of September 2, 2022.
She was born March 7, 1941, in Vanzant, Missouri to William Noble Reece and Nancy Loretta (Mullins) Reece; the second of four children. She married Thomas Ralph Baker at age eighteen and to this union three children were born: Loretta June (Lorrie), William James (Jim), and Patricia Darlene, who passed an hour and a half after her birth. A few months later, as a result of a car accident, she lost her husband Thomas. She later met and married Gerald Douglas Tilley, and to this union two children were born: John Douglas and Judith Lynn (Judy). Bertha had a strong faith in the Lord and accepted Jesus as her savior. She was a member of the Church of the Brethren in Cabool, Missouri. She worked many jobs in her life, such as a nurse’s aide, a cashier, and a dairy farmer. She eventually moved to Peace Valley, Missouri, and became the cook at Peace Valley School. Later she worked at Grandma’s Kitchen in Willow Springs, Missouri, where she worked until her health began to fail. She was a patriotic American, and all her family members who served were a constant source of pride. She was an avid gardener and spread her love of growing things to many. She loved birds and her precious fur babies, Tippy and Itsy. Her family has always been her highest priority and we have all been blessed by having her be a part of our lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her infant daughter Patricia, her son John, her sisters Barbara Jackson and Bonnie Grogan, her brother Donald Reece, and her nephew Daniel Grogan.
She is survived by her children: Lorrie Ebert (Floyd), Jim Baker (Kay), Judy Tilley (Amy) and Jan Tilley. Eleven grandchildren: Natasha Kauffman (Matt), Sabrina Marshall (Steven), Thomas (TJ) Baker, Chris Ebert (Patti), Jared Ebert (Annie), Alaina Ebert, Melissa Ebert (Derek), Shane Tilley, Clint Tilley, Dana Massa (Tim), Laiken Underwood (Daniel) and nine great-grandchildren: Matthew, Evan, Kayla, Bailey, Rachel, Macivor, Noble, Lucy, and Tatum, as well as many more nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
A visitation for Mrs. Tilley will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. with the service immediately following at 11:00 A.M. at Willow Funeral Home, LLC, with Pastor Sandy Bosserman officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Douglas County. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
