Obituary of Cherryl Yvonne (Baker) Tillman
Cherryl Yvonne Tillman, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024, at Loyola Medical Center, with her loving family by her side. Cherryl was born in Providence, RI on November 11, 1944, the daughter of the late Stanley and Irene Baker. She was a graduate of Central High School in Providence, and received her BA from the University of Massachusetts and her Master’s Degree from Antioch University.
She was a State of Illinois Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner on the National Board of Respiratory Care. Cherryl had a long, rewarding career in healthcare, working locally at Provena St Joseph Medical Center, Kindred Hospital, Chicago North, and Hines V.A. Hospital. Additionally, she worked at several other medical centers and higher educational institutions across the Midwest and East Coast including starting the first-ever baccalaureate program in respiratory therapy at Tennessee State University.
Cherryl is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Keith E. Tillman; children, Kahaleed (Amber) Tillman, Kawryne Tillman, Sasah (Marcus) Richardson and Rolando Perry; brothers, Glenn “Joey” Baker and Keven Baker; sisters, Tammy Baker, LaVern West, Joyce DeCosta, and Bahiyyah Muhammad “Vicky”; grandchildren, Micah, Novalee, Kallen, and Dakota, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Kenneth, Leonard “Lenny”, Brian, Stanley Jr.; and sisters, Angella Braz, Michelle Baker, Karen Tilson, and Malika “Patrica” Baker-Al-Barri.
A former parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, Cherryl was devoted to her faith, family, friends and all she felt privileged to serve throughout her life. She was a former board member of the New Century Credit Union.
In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, gospel music, her pets, cookouts, family gatherings, and nurturing her house plants.
While raising their children, you could often find Cherryl on the sidelines managing the kids, cheering on Coach Keith’s football team, and as the multi-tasker she was known as, perhaps even calling a play or two.
Visitation for Cherryl Yvonne Tillman will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of her Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. As it was her request, cremation rites will be accorded following services.
The family has requested to live stream the services of their loved one on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. cst. Please click on this link (https://youtube.com/live/36yh-mNVXtU?feature=share) and follow the instructions to show your support for them at a time when you cannot be physically present, but your thoughts, prayers and connection are.
In lieu of sending flowers, the Tillman family requests that you donate to the Will County Humane Society in her honor at willcountyhumane.com.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
