Elizabeth Nell Beaty Tillman's Obituary
Elizabeth Nell (Beaty) Tillman was welcomed into the arms of her savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Nell was born on January 22, 1932, in Hughes Springs, Texas, to Russell and Zoie Allen. She was baptized on May 13, 1951, at Mobberly Avenue Baptist Church in Longview, Texas.
Nell graduated from Longview High School and met and married the love of her life, J.D. Beaty on August 26, 1950, in Shreveport, Louisiana. They enjoyed traveling to new places, trying new restaurants, and hosting dinner parties. Nell was a tremendous cook with her chicken and dumplings, rolls, and pecan pie always in high demand.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree from East Texas State University and a Master’s degree from Southern Methodist University. Nell spent decades educating students in Mesquite ISD through the homebound program. She was known as the grammar queen amongst family, kindly correcting mistakes and lovingly reviewing essays.
Everyone that knew Nell was sure of two things - she loved God and the Dallas Cowboys. You knew on Sunday she would be at church and then cheering on America’s Team. She was a longtime member of Lake Highlands United Methodist Church and actively involved in her Sunday School class until moving to the Conservatory at Plano where she attended the on-site Christian Community Church and put together its weekly program.
Nell sewed most of her life and took up quilting in the last few decades. Many family and friends are the beneficiaries of her homemade treasures. Other hobbies included completing the crossword puzzle and online jigsaw puzzles daily and hosting friends in her home. She also took painstaking care every year to collect photos and craft the perfect Christmas card, highlighting her beloved family and friends.
She is survived by her son, Larry Beaty (Jennifer); daughter, Lana Gilstrap; granddaughters, Katy Lane (Keith), Hannah Beaty, and Rachel Beaty; great-grandkids, Jack Lane and Sydney Lane; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
Nell is preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Beaty; her parents, Russell and Zoie Allen; her sister and brother-in-law, Jerry Ann and Jimmy Eason; her son-in-law, Jack Gilstrap, Jr.; and her second husband, Carl Tillman.
Nell’s Celebration of Life will be on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Restland Dallas in the Memorial Park Garden of the Holy Family at 13005 Greenville, Dallas, TX, 75243.
A reception will precede Nell's Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 PM at the Restland Event Center located at 9220 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX, 75243.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Community Church at the Conservatory in Plano at 6401 Ohio Drive, Plano, TX, 75024.
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