Laura R. Tilbury

Laura Childs Tilbury, 79, of Southside, AL passed away June 7, 2025.]. Laura was born in Gadsden, AL on December 29, 1945 to parents, Kenneth M. and Margaret Sewell Childs.

She traveled across the country for many years, as an “Army Brat” to bases in Washington (state), California, New Jersey, Alabama and Georgia. She graduated from Baker High School in Columbus, GA in 1964 and attended Columbus College for one year. She then moved to Atlanta to act as au pair for her cousin Albert Sewell III (Al) and his wife and two children. In the evenings, she worked at The Lions Head restaurant in Atlanta, as hostess, cashier and waitress as necessary.

In 1971 she moved to Houston, TX and found work as a bookkeeper in a medical clinic. She showed an aptitude for Data Processing and learned to program their new IBM. computer. This knowledge led to position in several companies and eventually to programmer / operator for an electronics manufacturing and product testing facility near Houston, TX. Laura became Computer Manager for the Univac system as well as joining the Houston chapter of the Texas Univac Users Association (TUUA).

In May 1980 Laura attended the TUUA Conference in Austin, TX where she met George Tilbury, a guest speaker. Conversations ensued and they learned they had many things in common. During the next eighteen months the relationship grew and they married in October 1981 in Carrolton, GA. They returned to their jobs in Houston and had numerous business / vacation trips around the country and several overseas journeys. They made lasting friendships which they treasured for years after. A job change for George led to a move to Centreville, VA where Laura joined the New Neighbors group. She was involved with several craft groups and expanded her genealogical research with trips to the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the DAR and other resource facilities. Many discoveries were made. Laura spent five years here until George’s promotion took them to Lansing, MI. She was excited as her father was a Michigan native and the Childs family reunion was held annually in the Thumb area. She volunteered to be Secretary / Treasurer for the reunion which game her access to over 150 “new cousins”. In the 10 years she lived in Michigan, Laura was a member of the Lansing Woman’s Club, took art classes and developed proficiency in pen & ink drawings and combined some of her works with watercolor washes. On weekends, she & George visited every county in lower MI and a dozen counties in the Upper Peninsula.

In May 2000 George took early retirement and in 2001 they took an Alaskan cruise & land tour. This tour completed 50 states visits for each and celebrated their 20th anniversary. For the next two years they researched retirement locations, having spent enough cold winters in MI and moved to Southside, AL in November 2003. Many activities filled Laura’s time with the Gadsden Greeters, the Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society, and the Ocher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program at the University of Alabama – Gadsden. In April 2016 Laura was diagnosed with Stage IV Oral cancer. It was treated surgically and radiation and later deemed cured A mitral valve replacement was done in 2019 and lower back pain was diagnosed in 2022 and various procedures, medicines, therapy and surgery war done or considered. She entered home hospice in August 2024, and she moved to Assisted Living in Indianapolis in February 2025. On June 7 she passed quietly and peacefully in her sleep. Now pain-free Laura rests in the Lord’s presence and waits for George’s eventual arrival where they will be together again, in eternal peace and love.

Laura was preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her devoted husband of 44 years, George; her brother Glen C. Childs,II; by George’s children Jeffrey Tilbury (Sarah) and Laura L. (Tils) Tilbury; grandsons William George Tilbury, James Davis Tilbury, Jeffrey Hunter Tilbury, Clinton Lee Tilbury; (Gigi) and great-grand daughter Rosalee Virginia Tilbury.

Funeral services will be held at a later date to be determined in Gadsden, AL.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oral Cancer research or the Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society, PO Box 8268, Gadsden, AL 35902

Family and friends are encouraged to view Laura Tilbury’s online tribute at www.FlannerBuchanan.com to sign the online guest book and share messages of condolence with the family.