Vernice Hill Tilghman

On Friday, May 29, 2020 at Suburban Hospital, Vernice H. Tilghman, 85, went to sleep and was received by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Vernice Yvonne Hill was born on May 10, 1935 in South Boston, Virginia, the ninth of 10 children born to the late Charlie Buck Hill and Willie Easley. Vernice graduated from Dunbar High School in 1953. At 21, Vernice married Charles J. Tilghman and from that union they had two daughters – Jeanene Marie and Yvonne Vernice. In 1962, graduating at the top of her class from Martha Washington Vocational School, Vernice received her certification in cosmetology. Vernice was an icon in the cosmetology field and a mentor to many. Starting her career as a highly requested beautician at Urdell’s in upper northwest D.C., Vernice later became a highly demanded, independent cosmetician contractor. From 1992-2002, Vernice worked for the District of Columbia Public Schools system before her retirement from Orr Elementary School in Washington, D.C. Vernice was a teacher’s assistant who taught arts and crafts to her students and served as an assistant in the principal’s office. Known as a no nonsense person with a golden heart, Vernice imparted love and caring to the Orr student body. Vernice was loved by students as well as admired and respected by those whose lives she touched. God gave Vernice many gifts from cheerfulness, helpfulness and generosity; she embraced them all. However, God greatly gifted Vernice with hospitality. Vernice was known to have wielded a “wicked cooking spoon”. She had an extraordinary ability to transform food into a delicacy. Whenever, you had the pleasure to sit at Vernice’s table, you were rewarded with the love she put on the plate. “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:9-10) The highest honor Vernice held was the title “Ma”. Vernice was always and forever will be Ma to Jeanene, Dara, Tobin, Gabby and Yvonne. However, Vernice had a myriad of names by which she was called – each reminiscent of what she meant to those whose lives she touched throughout her journey. She was also known as Aunt Vernice, Big V, Miss Tilghman, Ms. V, Tilghman and Tillie. Vernice is survived by her two daughters – Jeanene M. Taylor and Yvonne V. Tilghman, her former spouse, Charles J. Tilghman; grandchildren Dara Taylor, Tobin Taylor (Denice) and great-granddaughter Gabrielle Taylor and her siblings – Pauline Cauthorne, Baltimore, Maryland and Leroy Hill (Frances), South Boston, Virginia. She was preceded in death by Kemba, her first granddaughter; two brothers – Charles and McKinley Hill (Virginia) and four sisters – Ann Mae Solver, Mildred Hill, Marie Hill and Queene Hill. The whereabouts of Vernice’s oldest brother, Preston Hill, is unknown. Vernice leaves a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends to cherish her memory.

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Vernice Hill Tilghman

May 10, 1935 - May 29, 2020