Katherine Helen Wellbrock Tillman died March 15, 2026, after a short illness. She was born on April 10, 1941 (Holy Thursday), at Telfair Hospital, to John Frederick Wellbrock, Jr. and Dorothy Helen Precht Wellbrock. John’s father and the Prechts emigrated from Germany.

Katherine was baptized and confirmed at Lutheran Church of the Ascension, and attended worship, Sunday school, and youth activities there. During her life at Ascension, Katherine chaired many committees, sang in the adult choir for about 50 years, served on the congregation council, with two terms as president, and acted as the church’s archivist in recent years. When she was president, she led the church in the purchase of the adjacent property on State Street, allowing the congregation to expand programs for members and the community. Katherine was active in the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA), and served several offices, among them as president of the church’s unit of WELCA. She also served two terms on the board of the Southeastern Synod, WELCA. She was always eager to plan and prepare food for meetings of the congregation and for members during times of illness and bereavement. In 2021 she was named Ascension’s first Bold Woman of Faith by the church’s WELCA. In 2025, the church council named the church’s archives in her honor.

Katherine attended public schools in Savannah and met the love of her life and husband of 63 years, Joe Tillman, Jr. during their years at Savannah High School. She attended Armstrong Junior College, when it was downtown, then went to Georgia Southern, where she graduated with a BS in elementary education. After graduation, Katherine started her teaching career which spanned more than 30 years. She taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th, grades with 4th being her favorite. She especially loved teaching social studies and science, bringing stories and places to life for her students, whether an in-depth study of Charlotte’s Web or a Japanese style lunch with full costumes. While teaching at Heard Elementary, she was selected Teacher of the Year for the school. Katherine was invited to join the Alpha Gamma chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International teacher’s organization. She was very active in the chapter, and served as treasurer, historian, and president.

A lifelong Savannahian, she loved sharing the city with friends and newcomers. After retiring from her teaching career, she blended her love for Savannah and teaching and became a tour guide for Convention Consultants, guiding visitors through historic Savannah. She worked at Massie School teaching in the heritage classroom and sharing Savannah’s history with the school children in the area. She was a volunteer at Ronald McDonald House, where she enjoyed helping many families during their stays.

Being near the rivers and creeks of Savannah was one of her favorite things – tromping in the mud with her cousins as children, crabbing and shrimping, riding in the boat with friends and family. She was known for olsome her family’s best recipes – red rice, German potato salad, pineapple upside down cake, and dressing – and with Joe, loved hosting a low country boil or oyster roast.

Katherine and Joe were blessed to travel to many places during their life together. She loved visiting national parks and historic sites and had special memories of their trips to Alaska and Germany. She enjoyed golf and watched the Braves every night.

She loved family. Katherine grew up at the German Country Club with her parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins and was the host for holiday meals for many years. One of her true joys was being a grandmother. She loved taking trips with Max and Katie, hearing about their activities, and made it a priority to be there for important moments.

Katherine is survived by her husband Joe, daughter Julia Tillman and son-in-law Leo Breton, daughter Lisa Tillman, grandchildren Max Breton and Katie Breton; cousins Billy Ray, Sally Ray Murphy and Kathleen Brewin Lewis and their families; sister- and brother-in-law Joan Tillman Mulligan and Gus Mulligan, nephews Mike Mulligan and Matt Muliigan, niece Becky Nail Ralls and their families; and many dear friends.

A Memorial Service will be at 11:00a.m., Friday, March 20, 2026, at Lutheran Church of Acension. Burial will follow at 2:00p.m. at Bonaventure Cemetery. 

Her family is grateful to the teams at Savannah Square and Hospice Savannah and the congregation at Lutheran Church of the Ascension for their friendship, care, and support.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Lutheran Church of the Ascension or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.