Jether Genie Tiller was born on January 12, 1931 to the late Norflet and Beatrice Chapman.  She was one of eight children born to their union.  Her mother Beatrice passed away when Jether was only 13 years old.  She consequently assisted with being the homemaker and caretaker for her younger siblings.  Jether attended Cleveland public schools: Gladstone, Kennard and graduated from Central High School in 1950.

Jether met and married Jesse Robert Tiller, Bob, on November 8, 1952.  This union created a beautiful family of four: Derek (preceded in death), Broderick, Andrea & Mindy.  After the birth of their second son Rick, Jether worked at Highland View Hospital as a nurse’s aide.  She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist church while raising her then three young children.  She introduced them to God with weekly Sunday school classes along with church and daily prayers.  She didn’t have a church home after Tabernacle, but she always appreciated invitations to various church services.

She was a very loving and dedicated mother to her children, and grandchildren, and always actively participated in their lives.  Her favorite saying was “No two days are the same”, this expression couldn’t be more valid.  In 2020, Jether was characterized as a Covid Warrior for being one of the first African American area residents to be vaccinated at University Hospitals Covid Clinic.  This led to her being interviewed regarding the importance of the vaccine among minorities, which was aired on multiple news outlets.  She loved hosting parties with her husband Bob in the basement of their home.  After over 40 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on March 25, 1993.  Siblings who also preceded her in death were: Beautine, Norflet Jr. (Bill), Delores, Vernetta, and Essie.

Jether liked to knit, crochet, sew, read (often on her kindle) and in her younger years, cut her grass. She also enjoyed cooking and was known for her dressing and fried sweet potato pies.  More recently, she became a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers, particularly Darius Garland because she always said that young man can hustle.  She lived an illustrious and lengthy life as a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  Our hearts are officially broken.  We are grieving yet extremely grateful to have had such an amazing human being in our lives during her 94 years.

She will forever be missed and mourned by her 3 children: Broderick, who resides in San Diego with his wife Laura, Andrea, and Mindy (Peter); her 4 Grandchildren: Nestor (Alene), Tierney, Ariyen & Natalia; Sister Bernadine Warren, and brother Clyde Chapman.  Jether also leaves cherished memories for a host of relatives, loving nieces & nephews, neighbors, doctors, friends and friends of the family.  It’s a true testament to the incredible life she lived.