Mary Tilley Zeman

Mary Tilley Zeman, of Greenville, SC., passed away suddenly on January 4, 2025.
Born in Queens, NY, Mary grew up in Marietta, GA, graduated from the University of Georgia, lived in Atlanta, GA, Amelia Island, FL, before residing in Greenville. Mary was a very inquisitive child learning to read soup cans at the age of 3, and skipping a grade in elementary school. Shortly after graduating from UGA, and starting a job at Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta, Mary met her husband Mark as they worked together. Mary and Mark just celebrated their 35th anniversary in September. Along with being a terrific partner to Mark, she was a loving dog mom. They would often walk their Dalmatian Ella all over the parks in Greenville, and the beaches in Mt Pleasant, Hilton Head Island, and Hunting Island State Park. Ella went everywhere with Mary and Mark. Mary was a self-taught folk artist who began painting in 1997 following brain surgery for a benign tumor. Mary showed and sold her work at over 100 art shows and festivals around Atlanta. She often volunteered at schools teaching and inspiring children about the wonders of art and colors. Recently Mary started flipping houses she purchased, renovated, redesigned, and then also sold by her. She wrote poetry, loved photography, & music and was a fantastic chef and baker.
>> Mary is survived by her husband Mark, her siblings Alyssa Waddell of Dallas, GA, Eileen Brenneman of St Charles, MO, Michael Tilley of St Simons, GA, nephews Brooks Tilley and Jacob Brenneman both of Atlanta, GA, Ben Brenneman of St Charles, MO, and niece Emily Waddell of Dallas, GA. Mary was preceded in death by her mother and father Joan and Albert Tilley of Marietta, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Leukemia Society or American Heart Association would be appreciated. No services are planned at this time, Mark hopes to do an art show for Mary in the near future.