Dr. Robert Howard Tilley passed peacefully on Friday 20 March 2026 after a brief illness. He was born on 24 May 1937 to Clyde and Lillian Tilley in Ducktown, TN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Junghans Tilley after 63 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Tilley Bailey Kanorr. Howard was a great father to two sons, Chris Tilley (wife Gina Casselberry) and Scott Tilley (wife Shiho Tilley). He also had four grandchildren, Patrick Tilley, Daniel Tilley, Mikayla Tilley and her twin brother Tilley Casselberry. Howard was the proud great-grandfather to two beautiful girls, Matilda Tilley (Daughter of Daniel Tilley and Cassandra Pryor) and Vivian Casselberry (Daughter of Tilley and Salem Casselberry). He was also the uncle of Lynn Bailey Black.

Dr. Tilley served a few years in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and had a long career as a Dentist in Smyrna, GA. He was active in the Lions' Club, the Masons, and helped with the founding and operation of the Morganton-Mountaintown Baptist Association (MMBA) Mission Center Dental Clinic. In his younger days, he played basketball at Fannin County High School and was a member of the military band at North Georgia College. He was an avid dirt bike rider with his kids and friends in the 70s and 80s while living outside Atlanta.

After his retirement from Dentistry, Dr. Tilley returned to Blue Ridge to live and enjoy the mountains. He rejoined the First Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, where he and his family worshiped in his childhood. He and Karen traveled extensively in their motorhome and visited many of our nation's scenic wonders. Howard assisted in the research for several historical books on the local area and provided some assistance to the Baugh House Museum (now next door to his childhood home). "DT" (for "Doctor Tilley" as he was known to his family and close friends around Smyrna), was a kind and effective teacher of life skills for the kids and grandkids regarding all things mechanical, electrical, musical and most of all, faith and interpersonal skills.


Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Claude Mathis and Dr. Rusty Thomas officiating. Music will be provided by Mrs. Pat Young. Interment will follow in the Chastain Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors rendered by the North Georgia Honor Guard. The family will visit with friends at the Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA on Friday, March 27, 2026, prior to the service from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.


Memorial contributions in honor of Dr. Tilley may be made to Morganton Mountaintown Baptist Association Dental Clinic at P.O. Box 1167, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513.


Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of these arrangements.