Scotty Tillery

Mr. Jeffery Scott “Scotty” Tillery, age 58, of Cedartown passed away after a brief illness, Monday, January 1, 2024.

Scotty was born in Rome, Georgia on February 7, 1965, completing the family of Howard and Doris Tillery and their other six children. For many in the community, the Tillerys defined the word “family.”

Scotty graduated from Cedartown High School in 1983, after which he joined the family plumbing business. Most recently, while continuing in the family business, he was also the owner of Croker’s Hardware.

Scotty was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Doris, his brother Philip, his sister Robyn Hubbard, and his brother-in-law Dewey Rutledge.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years Ann Marie Mullen Tillery; his sons Russell Mullen Tillery (Erika) and Clayton Scott Tillery; his daughters Julie Beckman and Meghan Guice McElwee (Hayden); and grandchildren Rhett and Tyson Tillery; Maddie and Chelsie Jefferson; and Bennie McElwee. Also surviving are his siblings Diane Cheatwood, Ronnie (Carol) Tillery, Becky Tillery Rutledge, and Rocky (Patty) Tillery, sister-in-law Terri Tillery, and brother-in-law Benny Hubbard. Scotty also had a special place in his heart for his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his cousins.

Scotty was not just a successful businessman. He was also a dedicated public servant who knew early on that he wanted to serve Cedartown and Polk County. He served on the Cedartown City Commission from 2009 to 2013 working tirelessly to make Cedartown a place all citizens could be proud of.

In 2015, Scotty was elected to the Polk County Board of Commissioners, a position he held until his death. He was Chair of the Finance Committee and served on the Public Works and Ordinance Committees, the Polk County Board of Health, and the ACCG GEBCorp Board of Directors.

He is a member of Caledonia Lodge #121, the Yaarab Shrine Club, the Optimists Club, an officer of the Boys and Girls Club, the Polk and Bartow Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cedartown Historic Preservation Commission, Cedartown Development Authority, Polk County Development Authority, Northwest Georgia Regional Development Authority, Downtown Cedartown Association, Polk County Chamber of Commerce, Polk Against Drugs, the Cedartown/Polk County Humane Society, and the Polk County Historical Society.

Scotty was an active member of the Cedartown First Methodist Church serving on the Board of Trustees and other positions of church leadership.

His life of service speaks to his love of Cedartown and Polk County, BUT his biggest joy was his family. From the time he picked Ann Marie up in his red Corvette for their first date in 1996 (he always admitted that he “married up”) …to playing on the floor with young Russell…to the birth of Clayton, he reveled in their life together. He doted on his sons’ athletic abilities and was an active booster as they played football, rugby, soccer, and track.

When asked how they would describe their dad, his sons responded, “Saucy, energetic, stubborn, funny, kind, zealous, devoted, nosy.” Scotty never stayed still for long. He had a heart the size of Polk County but the memory/attention span of a pea.

Scotty was a giver: He gave to his church, his hometown, his home county, his large extended family, and his beloved immediate family. Ironically, his life of service to the history of Cedartown and Polk County has made him an endearing and indelible part of our history.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 5, 2024, at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Cedartown First Methodist Church with Pastor Jonathan Blackmon and Pastor Britt Madden, Jr. officiating. Eulogies will be given by Russell Tillery, Clayton Tillery, and Judge Mark Murphy. Music will be provided by John Sewell. Interment will follow in Northview Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 12 noon until the funeral hour at Cedartown First Methodist Church.

Scotty’s nephews: Todd Tillery, Breck Tillery, Keith Cheatwood, Joshua Hubbard, Jordan Hubbard, and Jacob Hubbard will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Florian Pohl, Benny Hubbard, Johnny Hulsey, Mike Isbell, William Woods, Mike Pittman, Jim Vincent, Allen Hunt, and Steve Morris.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Cedartown First Methodist Church.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Jeffery Scott “Scotty” Tillery.