TITLE
Title
RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. OTIS E. TILLMAN, SR.
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Commissioner J. Carlvena Foster
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RESOLUTION
Resolution
RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. OTIS E. TILLMAN, SR.
WHEREAS, on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, Dr. Otis E. Tillman, Sr., departed from this life at the age of 89. As one of the first prominent African American physicians in High Point, NC, Dr. Tillman is also remembered as an educator, activist and leader, whose passion for healing others enriched the lives of an entire community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Tillman, Sr. received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Organic Chemistry and Biological Sciences from North Carolina A&T University and received his medical degree from Howard University in Washington, DC, before returning to High Point, where he practiced medicine for 46 years; and
WHEREAS, during his distinguished career, Dr. Tillman was known as a true “family physician”, having delivered approximately 3,000 children, including conjoined twins, in High Point and practicing a variety of medical specialties to meet the needs of his patients; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Tillman’s inspirational belief that medical practitioners should be guided not only by knowledge, but by faith, led him to author two books that he regularly shared with his medical students - Prescription for the Soul: Prayers and Meditations and A Physician’s Prayers & Meditations, whose foreword was written by the late Dr. Maya Angelou; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Tillman’s activism and tireless advocacy for equality throughout the community led to his involvement in numerous civic and service organizations, such as: former chair of the High Point Urban Renewal Commission; board member of the High Point Community Foundation; board of trustees member for the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, the NC A&T Foundation, UNC-Pembroke and Carl Chavis YMCA of High Point; and 25 consecutive years of service as former chairman and member of the NC A&T University Board of Trustees, the longest in university history; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Tillman, Sr. has received the following honors and designations in recognition of his significant accomplishments: father of the High Point Model City program; the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award (2001) and the Guilford County Mental Health building located on S. Centennial Street in High Point named the Dr. Otis E. Tillman, Sr. Mental Health Building (2013); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Tillman, Sr. is survived by his wife Barbara, their four children and nine grandchildren, in whom he instilled his courage, resilience, altruistic spirit and lifelong passion for helping others.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners that it hereby expresses its appreciation and admiration for the accomplishments of Dr. Otis E. Tillman, Sr., and his contributions to the Guilford County community, and extends its deepest condolences to the Tillman family.
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