Obituary of Margarette Tilson

Margarette Strickland Tilson, 83, of Davidson, NC, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013, from complications resulting from a stroke. She was a resident of Sardis Oaks Skilled Nursing Facility in Charlotte, NC, at the time of her death. Born December 25, 1929, in Andersonville, SC, Margarette was the daughter of the late Grace and Joseph ?Collie? Strickland of Asheville, NC. She was a graduate of Limestone College, where she received a degree in home economics. After growing up in Asheville, NC, Margarette spent much of her life in Lenoir, NC, before moving to Davidson, NC. She was always quick to share that her favorite home was Kabul, Afghanistan, where she resided in the late 1960s with her former husband, Bryson ?Hugh? Tilson, and three sons. Margarette embraced the wonders of the world. She loved to travel, valued cultural differences, and was a student of fine food and ethnic cuisines. She enjoyed entertaining, dancing, bridge, decorating, the arts, reading, and long walks on the beach. Her creativity, resourcefulness, spirit, and style were central to her pursuits. Margarette is survived by her three sons and their respective spouses: Joseph H. Tilson and his wife, Diane, Larry K. Tilson and his partner, Joseph Craig III, and Jeffrey A. Tilson and his wife, Lisa; four grandchildren and their respective spouses: Adam and his wife, Sarah, Ramsey and her husband, Brian, Travis Murphy, and Haley; great-grandson Silas; and sister, Joyce McKelvey and her husband, Robert. The family is grateful to and honors the memory of Iretta Cornwell, Margarette?s caregiver and trusted friend, who preceded her in death. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, February 5, at 11:00 a.m., at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Crisis Assistance, 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206.