STARKVILLE — Charles Ray Tillery, 73, died Aug. 12, 2025, at his residence. 

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, at Antioch M.B. Church, with Isreal Lee officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. Friday, at Hairston and Hairston Funeral Home. Hairston and Hairston Funeral Home of Starkville is in charge of arrangements. 

Mr. Tillery was born Nov. 3, 1951, in Starkville, to the late John Lee McCaffery and Ruth Tillery. He was a graduate of Hunt High School and Mississippi Industrial College of Holly Springs. He was formerly employed with Prairie Opportunity, Winston County Correctional Facility and the Oktibbeha County School District. He was a member of Antioch M.B. Church. 

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Roberson Tillery; daughters, Jermice Belk and Brittany Tillery, both of Starkville; son, Charles “Chuck” Ray Tillery II of Starkville; sisters, Harriette Sherrod of Starkville and Aretta “Noonie” Stewart of Flint, Michigan; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.