Josephine was born to Will and Pearl Tillman on January 18, 1920, in Franklin, Tennessee. She departed this life peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the age of 106, at the Home at Hearthstone in Cincinnati, OH, where she had been a patient for the last 15 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her aunts and uncles, her husband, and her two sons, William Tillman, Sr. and Duane Tillman. Her parents moved to Cincinnati when she was 2 years old. Josephine attended Washburn Elementary and Bloom Junior High School. She graduated from Taft High School. As a teenager living with her parents in Cincinnati, OH, she joined Southern Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Moore.

In her early 20s, Josephine left Ohio and moved to Harlem, New York, where she started working as a Personal Home Health Aide. Later, she moved to the Bronx, New York, where she continued to work well into her 80s.

During an extended visit to Cincinnati, on May 25, 1997, Josephine, under the pastorate of Pastor James R. Chisley, joined Calvary Baptist Church under watch care. Josephine returned to Cincinnati in 2010, where she was admitted to the Home at Hearthstone due to health issues. While there, before her health began to worsen, Josephine enjoyed attending Sunday Church services and other weekly services. She enjoyed playing bingo, going on shopping trips, attending the many activities at Hearthstone, holiday events, etc. She had a quick wit and a wry sense of humor, which could keep you laughing. She had a wonderful sense of style; she loved clothes and stiletto heels. Josephine was truly loved by her family and the nurses, aides, and other staff members, and was affectionately called "Grandma Jo" or "Mama Jo". They took exceptional care of her.

Josephine leaves to mourn her memory precious loving daughter, Sharon Pearl Tillman; adopted daugthers, Robbin Lewis and Pearl Dickson, Bronx, New York; two devoted daughters-in-laws, Lois Tillman, Cincinnati, OH and Wyomia Tyus Tillman, Los Angeles, CA; ten grandchildren, Kevin Hawkins (Yvonne), Shawn Hawkins, Theresa Paige, Vicki Burt (David, Sr.), William Tillman, Jr. Cincinnati, OH, Simone Rahotep (Nyaniso), Tyus Tillman, Los Angeles, CA; fourteen great-grandchildren, Kevin Hawkins, Jr,. Joshua Hawkins, Atlanta, GA, Mia Montgomery (Gavin), Tiffanie Burt, Brooklyn, New York Ashley Burt, David Burt, Jr. Kyla Tillman, William Tillman, III, Cincinnati, OH, Tyus Tillman, Jr, Damani Rahotep, Anika, Rahotep, Amare Tillman, Axel Tillman, Los Angeles, CA; three great-great-grandchildren: June Paige, Jaxson Paige, Cincinnati, David Burt, III (Tre) Columbus, OH; four special God children, Jamie Payne, Heaven Scott, Patient Haney Burt, and Marie Lockett; and a host of other loved ones, relatives and friends.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Walker Funeral Home - Mt. Healthy, 7272 Hamilton Avenue , Mt. Healthy (45231). The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation, beginning at 11:00 am. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind.

She will be laid to rest at Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45232.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Storne family. Please click the "Tribute Wall" icon above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Storne family during this difficult time. Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.