Polly Marshall

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Polly M. Marshall, 89, passed peacefully on May 5, 2026, at Edgewood Health and Rehab in Byram, Mississippi.

A longtime Hinds County resident and educator at Hinds Community College in Raymond, she was born in Brinkley, Arkansas, in 1936 to Vernon Edward “Bill” McHann and Claudia Mullen. After her family’s return to Mississippi, Polly attended Crystal Springs High School and married Carl Tillman, Sr., the father of her two children.

Later, as a mom, she attended Mississippi College, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in English Education in 1967 and her Master’s degree the following year. She began her teaching career at H.V. Cooper High School in Vicksburg before joining a talented group of English instructors at Hinds, who welcomed her and her independent thinking and invited her to take part in a grand journey spanning thirty-two years of living, learning, and sharing knowledge with others. The mentoring and friendship she received at Hinds led Polly to be a mentor and friend to many others.

She enjoyed working in the church as well, and it was her honor to work with the Altar Guild. As a team member or in a leadership role, she was not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get a job done. Whether hostess or guest, she was a Southern lady, always classy but sassy. All the while, demonstrating the finest traits of a “Cosmo” woman. Books were her oxygen. She loved books. Being surrounded by them, helping to write them, reviewing them, editing them, and the joyous reading of her favorites.

Polly was proud of and so thankful for her family, immediate, as well as distant cousins, nieces, nephews, and aunts or uncles. She loved her brothers, but didn’t mind sharing her opinion with them or anyone else. And, no matter how much you loved her, she loved you more.

She brought her mom out of assisted care to her home and cared for her until her mom passed some years later. Again, showing a toughness that wasn’t at all obvious, in her soft features and beautiful eyes. Polly enjoyed the blessings of good friendships. She enjoyed traveling and a good glass of wine. Through the fullness of her life challenges, God, whether pleased or amused, granted the victory to Polly, the overcomer.

Polly was preceded in death by her husbands: Carl Tillman, Sr., and Robert Marshall, her daughter, Dana T. “Cooky” Lamb,  her parents; Vernon Edward “Bill” McHann, Sr., and Claudia Mullen, her stepfather, T.R. Glover, her brother, Billy Roy McHann, and her daughter-in-law, Scarlett Tillman. 

She is survived by her son, Carl Tillman, Jr., her grandchildren; Joseph Tillman (Lena), Katy Tillman, Clare Tillman, Blake Kirklin, Phillip Gardner (Anika), Lucas Gardner and Brent Stanley (Gary), her great-grandchildren; Dawson Davis (Catherine), Cash Jones, Hannah Gardner, Laura Tillman and John Tillman, her brothers; Bill McHann, Jr.(Annette), Bob McHann (Judy), and Riley Glover (Dianne), as well as her extended family; daughter in-law, Carol Buchwald, wife in-law, Debbe Tillman and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Heartfelt thanks to the staff at Edgewood Health for their unrelenting care of Polly, and to ACG Hospice for her gentle and loving transition.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10:00 am at the Episcopal Church of The Creator in Clinton. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, donations and memorials are requested to be sent to:

Church of The Creator

1445 Clinton-Raymond Road 

Clinton, MS 39056

Hinds Community College Foundation Annual Fund

P.O. Box 1100

Raymond, MS 39154

Mississippi Diocesan Altar Guild, MSDAG

c/o Harvey Smith, Treasurer

706 Newitt Vick

Vicksburg, MS 39180

Monsour & Patin Funeral Directors, 1830 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180, in charge of arrangements; telephone: 601-534-1190.