A Legend has gone home to be with the Lord.  Deacon Tillman Baker Jr., The Patriarch of many generations began his earthly journey February 17,1942 in Starkville, MS to Tillman Baker, Sr. and Mary Baker. The DASH in the time span of his life holds a lot of value. In order to understand how HE lived in the DASH of HIS LIFE, you must first know that God created and ordained HIM to leave the comfort of HIS Heavenly FATHERS HANDS to enter into this world of trials and tribulations just to leave a lasting legacy of love upon this earth!

On January 16, 2024, 2:55am, God spoke to him ever so gently and said, "My faithful servant, you stayed the course, you finished the race and now my son, it's time to take your rest." You see, Tillman Baker Jr., THE MAN…THE LEGACY prepared every day of HIS LIFE ON EARTH for such a time as this…a new life! There will never be enough words to express how we lived his dash. SO today we share with each of you a glimpse of how he lived, created, served, loved, and blessed in the dash of HIS LIFE……

He confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior early in his life. After being baptized in that old muddy pond, he joined St. John "Bank's" MB Church in Columbus, MS. There he remained as a humble servant of the Lord, serving in many capacities. Some of which included, Chairman of the Deacon Board/Trustee until God called him into eternal rest.

Bro. Tillman was blessed with a voice to sing and the gift to write songs and play lead guitar. His musical gifts and talents afforded him an opportunity to travel here and there telling the world about God's "Amazing Grace" through song. His longest tenure in quartet singing was with the Starkville Southern Aires. This group consisted of his brothers and some of his closest friends. God even graced them to record a 45 LP with the group. A typical Sunday morning would consist of him getting up early to sing on the radio and then on to St. John Morning Worship. Along with his two brothers, David, James, The Webber Sisters, and Others. He  assisted  all the Pastors looking out for the welfare of the church (1st Tim. 3:8-12).

Tillman became that Proverb 18:22 Man when he found his "GOOD THING" Josiephine Deloach. Not only did he find his "SWEET PICKLE" he also obtained the favor of the Lord. With his "Adam's Rib" by his side, THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND was born! Now the world will get to know "Jr., Sonny Boy, Tabb, Tillman, My Husband, Daddy, Deacon Baker, Mr. Tabb, Mr. Baker, Poppa, Iron Mouth, Grandaddy, Pee Wee, Uncle Tab, Wise Counselor, Bible Scholar/Teacher, and even "GANGSTA BAKER" as some the neighborhood youth respectfully nicknamed him. He was the BEST whatever Josiephine and their 11 children needed him to be. He said what he meant, and he meant what he said. If he said it, you could believe it. He was truly a Man of Integrity! He was truly a great Man of God.

We now rejoice because on January 16, 2024, Tillman got on that Early Morning Train Bound for Glory to rest from all of his labors!

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Josiephine Baker; a lovely daughter, Nellie Ruth Baker, 2 grandsons, Yurhond Deloach, and Javonte " Woodchuck" Baker; 1 great-granddaughter, Nakendria Deloach  5 brothers, Roosevelt, David, Howard, James, and John Wesley Baker; 2 sisters, Rosie Williams and Pearlie Baker.

He leaves to rejoice in his Legacy, 10 children, Andrew (Lavonne) Baker of Columbus, MS, Tony (Lois) Deloach of Crawford, MS, Jerry (Lillie) Baker, Pastor Josie (Michael) Sturdivant, Elder Pearlie (Victor) Moody all of Columbus, MS, Tillman (Chrrissy) Baker of Starkville, MS, Bishop John (Evg. Alisa) Baker of Starkville, MS, Minister Claudia Baker of Columbus, MS, Evangelist Nartarsha (Pastor Petro) Jordan of Starkville, MS and LaSonia Brownlee of Columbus, MS; 45 grandchildren; 81 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; 1 brother Frank Baker, 2 sisters, Sadie Jones and Sara Smith of Starkville, MS; 2 brothers-in-love, Robert Deloach of Artesia, MS, Fred Williams of Birmingham, AL, Johnny Gordon of Columbus, MS; 1 sister-in-love, Betty Baker of Starkville, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.