Tributes

Joy loved magical things like Christmas, the coziness of her home, and the colors of autumn in New England. She loved traveling with her husband as they often did. She always celebrated a good day of shopping, decorating spaces, painting… and Christmas – oh, how she loved the moments and traditions of the whole season. Joy always appreciated a local artist she discovered in her travels; time spent with her sisters; and a beautiful bloom on a bush. She treasured her finds in the antique stores and pottery studios she discovered on her adventures. She cherished the summer vacations spent in Pawleys Island with her sisters and their families in their beach house. She could always enjoy a good laugh and was always the first one to even laugh at herself. Joy had a unique gift of making others feel welcome and could almost always find a connection with those she had just met. She was quick to host occasions at her home - always welcoming others so everyone felt included. Dinners in her dining room were elaborate, yet simple, and once she sat down, you knew she was the happiest of all to have everyone together. She always had a twinkle in her eye when gathered with family and friends. But more than anything, Joy loved her family – both immediate and extended - and cherished spending time with them. Family meant everything to her, and she had a unique way of making everyone feel special and loved. On October 6, 2022, Joy Louise Yochem Tiller, 82, of Pawleys Island passed away at Tidelands Waccamaw Hospital with her beloved husband by her side. Born in Galion, Ohio on June 1, 1940, to the late Robert and Elizabeth Yochem, Joy was the oldest of three daughters. She was a graduate of Galion High School and Ohio University where she studied early childhood education. She spent a few years as a first-grade teacher, and although her teaching career was short-lived to start her own family, Joy never lost her appreciation for children and how life is seen through a child’s eyes. Joy was a devoted wife to Charles Tiller. She was tickled with his sense of humor from their high school days, and the spark she had with him never dimmed in their 58 years of marriage. Together they raised three sons, Robert, Andrew, and Brian Tiller. They made numerous moves across several states before settling in Pawleys Island in 1983. Joy and Charlie were forever a team – working together over twenty years as co-owners of Christmas at Pawleys, The General Store in the Hammock Shops, and several other retail shops along the Grand Strand. Her strengths were in the artistic and creative sides of the business as well as forming deep relationships with their customers throughout the years. Joy was also a longtime parishioner at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church where she volunteered her time and talent with their Souper Bowl for Habitat for Humanity. Each of Joy’s nine grandchildren knew how important they were to their “BaBa,” as they affectionately called her. To this day, each one is keenly aware their grandmother was their loudest cheerleader and strongest defender. She was quick to share a treat with any or all of them at a moment’s notice. Ordinary days at BaBa’s house felt like holidays to her grandchildren. Joy leaves behind her loving husband, Charles Tiller, of the home; three sons, Bob Tiller of Pawleys Island, SC, Andy (Mary) Tiller of Monkton, MD, and Brian (Carla) Tiller of Apex, NC; nine grandchildren, Ryan Tiller, Hampton Tiller, Jackson Tiller, Bryant Tiller, Bess Tiller, Mac Tiller, Emily Tiller, Colin Tiller, and Jonathan Tiller; two sisters, Ann Yochem Monnett (Buck) and Mary Yochem Houk (Keith); as well as many nieces and nephews. In memory of the kind and loving life that Joy lived, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church in Pawleys Island, and interment will immediately follow at Precious Blood of Christ Columbarium on the church grounds. The family will receive friends at Goldfinch Funeral Home Litchfield – Pawleys Island Chapel on Friday from 5:00-7:00 PM. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is overseeing arrangements.

Tributes

Joy Louise Yochem Tiller

June 1, 1940 - October 6, 2022