Alice May Winston Tilman (Mickey)

Alice May Winston Tilman (Mickey) of Rustburg, VA, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026. Born September 18, 1927, she was 98. Parents George Alexander Winston and Maude Garbee Winston. She was their 13th child and was last surviving member of all of her siblings.

Alice May was raised on a farm in Rustburg, VA during the depression. Early in life, she learned the hard work life required. With such a large family there was always something to be done. She carried those lessons with her all her life. Until her mother's death in 1971, Alice May took her mother visiting family and friends. Each week, Alice May took eggs to town to sell for her mother, her only source of income.

On the way to Brookville High School, she had to walk over a mile thru the woods crossing a creek on a foot log to meet the bus. In high school, she was in the chorus for several plays. Alice May always admitted that singing was not her best talent. She graduated from Phillips Business College in 1947 with a diploma in Accounting and General Business. She was the Office and Inventory Control Manager at N&W Industries for 13 years. She continued for another 27 years as Williams Dickie Mfg. Co. acquired N&W in Lynchburg. After retirement, she went back to school and became a Certified Nursing Assistant. She worked at Camelot Nursing Home for several years.

Paul Bland Tilman Jr. (Sonny) and Alice May were married June 22, 1952, at Whites United Methodist Church. Sonny died March 4, 2008. After they married, they continued living at the farm to help her mother. In 1972, they built their dream home and moved to Gough Road.

In 1968, they purchased land on Lake Gaston in North Carolina. That was their lake home for nearly 50 years. Sonny enjoyed fishing while Alice May visited with family members who lived on both sides of her.

Alice May is survived by one son, Cullen Tilman of Crozet, VA. Cullen has been caring for her, which made it possible that she could continue doing all the things she loved like visiting with friends and family, canning and freezing food gathered from the garden, and working puzzles while still living in the home she helped to build with her own hands. Their annual project was making 50 pounds of fudge to share with family and friends during the holidays. She is also survived by 5 generations of the Winston family. She had countless pets. Sam was her feline companion for the last 18 years.

She was a dedicated member of Whites United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, Colonel William Byrd Chapter and held several offices in her chapter. Alice May was proud that all 6 of the Winston sisters were NSDAC members together. After retirement, she joined the "On the Go Club" in Rustburg, proving she was ready for new adventures.

The family will hold visitation at Tharp Funeral Home, 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, on Friday, February 20th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Graveside service will be held at Hillsboro Cemetery, 5971 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet, on February 21st at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, when thinking of her, please take a bit more time to be kinder to your fellow humans and animals.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.