Dr. Douglas Walter Tillery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, dentist, community leader, and faithful servant of Christ, passed away on May 11, 2026, at the University of Mississippi Medical Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on November 12, 1942, in Laurel, Mississippi, Doug was the son of Thomas Walter Tillery and Eva Read Tillery.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Walter Tillery and Eva Read Tillery, and his nephew, Bruce Young.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Jo Tillery; his two daughters, Alicia Dunlap (Richard) and Ellen Morrow (Richard); his sister, Joan Tillery Young; his five grandchildren, Martin Dunlap, Douglas Dunlap (Lexi), Elsie, Sophie, and Mary Morrow; his great-grandson, Douglas Tillery Dunlap Jr.; his nephew, Brian Young (Carla); his step daughter, Kristen Hayes and 2 his step-granddaughters, Kylie and Kinzley Hayes.

Doug attended Laurel City Schools and graduated from George S. Gardner High School. During his school years, he excelled in athletics, participating in Little League and Babe Ruth League baseball, football at Jones Junior High School and Laurel High School, where he earned All-State and All-Big Eight honors. He also played baseball and participated in track. He later attended the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of the 1960 National Championship Football Team and the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He went on to earn his dental degree from Loyola University School of Dentistry in New Orleans.

From 1968 to 1970, Doug proudly served his country as an officer in the United States Army Dental Corps at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Following his military service, in 1972 he returned home to Laurel and established a solo dental practice. Over the years, his practice grew to include additional associates and satellite offices in Waynesboro, Taylorsville, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport. Through his profession, he touched countless lives with both his skill and compassion.

Doug was deeply committed to his faith and community. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Laurel, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School Director, and member of the Personnel Committee. He also served as President of the Laurel Dental Association and the District IV Dental Association. Passionate about serving others, he volunteered his dental services on numerous mission trips to Honduras through the Honduras Dental Mission, where he also served on the Board of Directors.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Doug loved hunting, fishing, conservation, and spending time on the land he cherished. He organized local property owners in east Jasper County to promote deer conservation efforts and served as President of the Jones County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

Doug was also dedicated to civic leadership and community development. He was appointed by Mayor Bill Patrick to a program focused on developing young civic leaders and served on planning committees for both the Cameron Recreation Center and the Magnolia Center. He served on the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority of Jones County, including two terms as chairman. He was also appointed Commissioner of the South Mississippi Fair Board and served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank and later Deposit Guaranty Bank.

Above all else, Doug loved his family. He especially treasured the life he built with his wife, Mary Jo. Together they enjoyed fishing in their ponds, hunting, gardening, canning fresh vegetables from their garden, and traveling the world. Doug often joked that God put him on this earth to clean and cook the largemouth bass that Mary Jo loved to catch and eat. They loved making countless trips to Meridian to listen to music from the 1950s and 1960s. Most of all, they loved simply being together — riding to work, attending church, and spending countless hours driving around their property enjoying one another’s company; they were always side by side.

Doug Tillery leaves behind a legacy of faith, leadership, hard work, generosity, and deep love for his family and community. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Doug's life will be held at 2:30 pm on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Laurel, MS, with visitation being at 1:00 pm in the church sanctuary. 

Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County, is honored to serve the Tillery Family. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .