Funeral Director with McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory

Steven Dwayne Tiller, age 54 of Forest City, North Carolina, went home to be with Jesus Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

Steve was born and raised in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, and was a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. Shortly after, he attended and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he finally began fulfilling his calling. At an early age, Steve knew he wanted to pursue a career in the funeral business—a special calling that could only come from God. For nearly 30 years he served the Lord through his work as a funeral director and embalmer. He took great pride in doing it well, serving families with kindness, care, respect, and exemplifying the love of Jesus Christ.

With the seriousness of Steve’s career, he had a unique sense of humor and loved to make his family and friends laugh. His family was his world. Steve worked hard providing for his wife and children and made sure he took them to church every chance they got.

Above all else, if you knew Steve, you knew how very much he loved his Jesus. In 1986 on his 15th birthday, Steve made the greatest decision he could make, and made Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. Romans 1:16 says “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” From that moment in ‘86 up to his final days, Steve lived out the truth of that scripture—to live a life unashamed of his faith in Jesus. He took every opportunity he could to tell everyone he met about the hope he had in Christ. This hope is why we can rejoice in knowing Steve is no longer afflicted with the pains and sicknesses of this world. He is now fully healed and made whole in the presence of his Savior.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Rhonda Warren Tiller, his father, James Claude Tiller, as well as many loved ones with whom he is now reunited with in Glory.

Steve is survived by his four children, Ashley Tiller, Nathan Tiller, Mary Tiller, and April Tiller. His mother, Dora Lou Tiller, brother Patrick Tiller, and many friends and family who are left to mourn his passing. The visitation will be Friday, November 7, 2025 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at McMahan’s Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Green Hill Baptist Church with Reverend Matthew Moore and Reverend Dr. Peter Surran officiating. The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Green Hill Baptist Church;1941 US Highway 64/74A Highway; Rutherfordton, NC 28139. McMahan’s Funeral Home & Crematory in charge of arrangements.