Obituary of Tillmon Figgs

TILLMON FIGGS Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Tillmon Figgs, 91, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, July 8, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He had been in declining health for several years and was a resident of the NJ Veterans Memorial Home for the past two years. Born in Waycross, Georgia, he worked at various jobs including summer delivery of mail for the local railroad company and worked for the local gas company. In 1937, Tillmon moved to Brooklyn, New York with his parents and held jobs as a "soda jerk" at a local drug store and operated amusement rides at Coney Island. He enlisted into the Coast Guard in Brooklyn and later joined the Air Force after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served for four years in North Africa and Italy. After being discharged in 1946, Tillmon worked with his father for one year at a steel drum company in Brooklyn, and then was employed as a longshoreman. At the Kings County Hospital he obtained the position of Dietician's Helper. It was there where he met his future wife, Olga Theodore. Soon after their marriage in 1951, Tillmon gained employment at Clay Adams, a medical and surgical supply firm in Manhattan, where he obtained the position of foreman and held it for 13 years Wanting to provide and environment for his family away from the pressure and problems of the big city, Tillmon moved to Vineland in 1963. For a period of one year, he continued to work in New York, while spending weekends with his family and making improvements in his new home. In 1964, he was able to gain employment with the City of Vineland as a Maintenance Foreman. Tillmon's hard work, dedication, and excellent skills over the years allowed him to be promoted to the position of Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds. He served in this capacity until his retirement from the city in 1984. During his years with the city, Tillmon also served on the "Special Police" force for three years. Tillmon was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Church (Divine Mercy) for over 30 years where he served as an usher and had volunteered his time working with a variety of church activities. Prior to his ill health he spent his time volunteering his services for community organizations. Tillmon was an avid gardener and took a great deal of pride in his natural "green thumb" which was reflected in his home. Tillmon is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Olga; sons, Kenneth of Delanco, Keith of Vineland and Tillmon, Jr. and wife LaCharla of Greenbelt Maryland and Warren Brandriff whom he considered his "fourth son"; two grandchildren, Andre Figgs and Andressa (Ted) Wainwright; two great-grandchildren, Briana and Makayla Figgs. He was predeceased by his parents, Simmie and Lillie Figgs; brothers, Valentine and Daniel and a sister, Helen Payne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the NJ Veterans Memorial Home Welfare Fund, 524 Northwest Blvd., Vineland, NJ 08360