Elder Tammi Lavada (Wheeler) Tilley

The Legacy of Elder Tammi L. Tilley

Elder Tammi Lavada Wheeler Tilley, 61, departed this life to enter eternal peace on Friday, July 23, 2021.

She was born on June 7, 1960 to Robert and Dorothy Wheeler, in the small town of Barberton Ohio, where she spent her happy childhood and grew up with her 10 siblings. Tammi was the 7th Wheel, she was our “Bubby”.  Tammi was a graduate of Barberton High School, Class of 1979. 

As a young mother of 3 sons, she married a young gentleman by the name of Daniel Burton Tilley. They decided to pack up their belongings and move across the country. They settled down in Sunny San Diego, California. Starting a new life together, Tammi completed the LPN Nursing Program at the Grossmont Health Occupation Center in 1990. 

Here, Tammi would venture off and explore new passions that soon became a part of her legacy. Her accomplishments include: Completing an Associates of Arts degree in American Sign Language In 1999, becoming an interpreter for the deaf. This was a passion that she began as a young child that only grew.  Using her Nursing License to work as an OBGyn nurse working side by side with Dr. Magone delivering the babies. She then found her TRUE passion, being an Award Winning, Model Foster Parent! Tammi took in dozens of beautiful children. Those children would soon grow up to have beautiful families of their own. 

Finding her niche and realizing at a young age that her place in this world was to service her community.  Whether it’s in the Church singing or sharing the Gospel from the pulpit or volunteering on a Board, she served. After decades of service to her community it led her to get a formal education. She enrolled in Christ Temple International Apostolic University where she graduated in 2008 obtaining a BA in Marriage and Family Counseling. She continued to study God's Word and after a few years, she heeded the call to go to the next level in the Gospel. In 2013 she was ordained as an Elder of the church under the Leadership of Pastor Russell Bowman. 

This journey of her life made her the person that we all know and love; Elder Tilley to some, Sister Tilley to some, Ms. Tammi to some, Mom Tammi to so many and to the rest... just Tammi. She was a kind soul, always wearing a smile and she had a very quick wit. She always had time to listen, she always had the answer or at minimum a word of advice or encouragement. She was a financial Wizard and was quick to share that wisdom freely. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Cousin, Aunt and Friend. 

Tammi will always be remembered for her great sense of humor, charming personality and winning smile. She loved God, her husband Daniel B. Tilley, her children, Grandchildren and her two Great Grands. She loved her sisters and brothers. Tammi loved the people that she loved and she loved hard. Although her time on this planet was short, she managed to achieve a lifetime of mentorship, devotion, and success. 

Her legacy will live on forever! 

Tammi transitioned from this life to enter eternal peace on July 23, 2021 after a short illness. She achieved the one thing that we are all striving for, and that’s to see Jesus.  

She will be truly missed by all that knew her.

Tammie was preceded in death by her father Robert B. Wheeler, her nephew Jonathan L. Sellers; her nieces: Stephanie A. Williams and Yolanda A. “Nettie” Wheeler Keys; step-father, Bishop Tommie Charles Vandiver; Her younger brother John L. Wheeler and her older Brother Robert “Dale” Wheeler. 

She is Survived by her husband of 38 years Daniel B. Tilley; sons, Jermaine L. Wheeler; Frederick (Monet) Tilley of Akron, Ohio; Arthur L. Tilley of San Diego, California; Johnny L. Wright of Lorain, Ohio; daughters, Natasha Pol of San Diego, California; Natalie (Christian) Henry of Germany; Nicole C. Velazquez of San Diego, California and Dauntea M. Tilley of Akron, Ohio. Her grandchildren Reyanna and Tyrie Wheeler; Gyasi, Frederick Jr.;Daniel, Tamia, Brandon and Alivia Tilley; Naomi, Toni and Johnny Jr Wright; Chloe, Sophia and Hannah Silverthorn; Kristina, Kataleya, Kennedy and Christian Jr. Henry. Two Great grandchildren Karli and Maya Tilley.

She is also survived by her mother, Dorothy L. Wheeler-Vandiver; her siblings:  Norman W. Wheeler the 1st Wheel of Senecaville, Ohio; Dottie (Richard) Watson the 2nd Wheel; Barbara (Larry) Mason the 3rd Wheel; Otis C. (Dorothy) Wheeler the 5th Wheel; Sandra Williams- Carter the 6th Wheel; all of Akron, Ohio.  Milena (Clyde) Phillips the 8th Wheel from Fallbrook, California; P. Elayne (Rickey) Poston the 10th Wheel of Tucson, Arizona; Karen (Stephen) Jackson the 11th Wheel; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

We will celebrate her life on Monday, August 2, 2021.

The services will be held at Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Ave., Barberton, Ohio 44203.

Visitation from 12 to 1 p.m.  The Celebration service will begin promptly at 1 p.m.

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