Samuel Tillman Sr. was born on July 13th, 1935 in Brookhaven, Mississippi to Ora Lee Smith and later adopted by Ulysses Tillman. Samuel had a younger half sister, Veola Davis, who preceded him in death.

By the sixth grade, Samuel dropped out of school to help support his family. He moved to Chicago in the 1950’s where he continued to work a variety of jobs before becoming a Construction Engineer for the next 30 years. One of his most notable projects was the construction of the Chicago Skyway.

Samuel was united in holy matrimony with Winter Jean Nesbit on August 4th, 1956. They were blessed with six children; Samuel Jr, Deborah Ann (deceased), Linda Venise, Kenneth, Michael Anthony, and Elizabeth.

In his later years, Samuel Sr. accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

God called him home on Saturday afternoon November 8th, 2025.

Preceded in death by his wife Winter Jean, Samuel Sr. leaves behind five children, a nephew Ronald, and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.