Hazel Ann Denham Tillery

Hazel Ann Denham Tillery of Tifton passed away peacefully at her residence on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 in the chapel of Albritton Funeral Directors with Rev. David Morrow officiating. Michael Moore will deliver the eulogy. Interment will follow at First Baptist Church of TyTy cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:45 P.M. at the funeral home before the service.

David Frederick, Jeremy Shaw, Michael Moore, Chris Moore, Donovan Gray and Hunter Frederick will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons and great grandsons along with Andy Thompson.

She was born on April 2, 1936, in Arabi, Georgia to the late H. B. Denham and Lillian Beatrice Huckbey Denham. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her great granddaughter, Madisyn Woollett and her sister and brother-in-law, Clara and Charles Marshall.

Hazel was a graduate of Tifton High School and went on to become a successful businesswoman as the co-owner of Hornbuckle Fuel Company. Her hard work and determination were evident in every aspect of her life. She took great pride in her career and was a proud member of First Baptist Church of TyTy.

Beyond her professional achievements, Hazel cherished her family above all else. She married the love of her life, William Edgar Tillery, and they enjoyed sixty-five wonderful years together until his passing on August 3, 2019. Hazel was a devoted wife who deeply loved her husband and treasured the time they spent together. In earlier years, Hazel and Ed traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi, where they enjoyed the casinos and explored new adventures together.

As a mother, Hazel was a constant source of love and support for her two daughters, Connie Aldridge and Cheryl Coker. She found immense joy in their daily phone calls.

Hazel's greatest delight came from being a grandmother to Chris Moore, Jessica Frederick, Michael Moore, Jeremy Shaw, Jordon Aldridge, Suzie Woollett, Shannon Coker, and Jimmy Coker III. Their laughter and love filled her heart with immeasurable happiness. They will forever cherish the memories they shared with their grandmother.

In addition to her eight grandchildren, Hazel took great delight in being a great-grandmother to twenty beautiful souls. Their presence brought light into her days and gave meaning to her life. She also had the privilege of knowing five great-great-grandchildren who brought an extra sparkle to her eye.

Outside of work and family life, Hazel enjoyed indulging in puzzle books that kept her mind sharp and engaged. She found solace in nature and spent countless hours watching the Redbirds and Hummingbirds that frequented her backyard feeders.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Hospice of Tift Area, PO Box 747, Tifton, Ga. 31793.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.