Tilford L. Underwood, age 83, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away on April 13, 2017 at Southgate Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Metropolis, Illinois.
A highly accomplished educator and master storyteller, Tilford was, at heart, a farm boy from Henry County, Tennessee who knew the joys of a 5-cent bologna lunch from the corner store, a chocolate candy bar during the rations of World War II and oranges in his Christmas stocking. He never forgot the lessons learned from stoking fires before sunrise, farming with a team of mules and bathing in a #3 wash tub with water warmed under the summer sun.
His accolades began at an early age with the title of “Prettiest Baby in Puryear”, followed by recognition for shooting marbles and winning the Henry County spelling bee in 8th grade. Tilford was especially proud of surviving the first grade under the tutelage of the demanding Miss Rassie Mae Pittman and of leading the great high school typing class revolt by refusing to “remove covers”. He loved the third grade so much that he repeated it, and while he would admit that he wasn’t always a stellar student, he had a genuine love of learning that eventually led to a long career in education. Tilford truly believed that education was the key to success and that crime should be avoided at all costs, likely because of that time he got shot at while stealing watermelons as a teenager.
He graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, but his plans to be a veterinarian were derailed by glaucoma and partial blindness. In the spring of 1957, he was asked to fill in for a teacher at Puryear High School, fell in love with teaching, and went to the University of Kentucky to complete his student teaching requirements. He taught at Sedalia High School before eventually settling in the McCracken County School System for a career that spanned more than 35 years. He taught agriculture, supervised the FFA, warmed a few backsides with the “board of education” and eventually rose to the title of Superintendent of Schools. Upon retirement, he worked for Murray State University, supervising student teachers.
In his last few years, Tilford spent many hours sharing the stories of his youth and the lessons he learned from life, including his blindness. He often stated that he had a good life and that he appreciated his family and the friendship of those closest to him, including Dan Valentine, Bonnie Bruce and Jim West. His parting advice to all would be to get an education, work hard and don’t let the Rassie Mae Pittman’s of the world get you down. His family would also like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Southgate Nursing Center and Lourdes Hospice, for their excellent care for Tilford in recent months.
Tilford is survived by a son, Spencer Underwood and wife Andrea, of Paducah; a granddaughter, Nicole Underwood; a stepson, Gary Fulton and wife Kathy, of Hardin, Kentucky; a sister, Jane McNabb of Tyler, Texas; a brother, Hal Underwood of Marion, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; and his “FFA Boys”, for whom he was an advisor at both Reidland and Sedalia High School.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Joyce; a daughter, Jan Carr; a son, Jon Underwood; a grandson, Chance Carr; a brother, Jim Underwood; and his parents, Hinda and Walter Underwood.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 17, 2017 at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services, with his daughter in law, Andrea Underwood officiating. In recognition of Tilford’s dedication to the Big Blue Nation, attendees are encouraged to wear their University of Kentucky attire. No University of Louisville red, please. Please refrain from mentioning Christian Laettner, Duke University, or that @#%# Rick Pitino. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Kirksey, KY.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 am Monday, April 17, 2017 at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Kentucky Office for the Blind, 8412 Westport Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40242.
You may leave a message of condolence or light a candle of remembrance at www.milnerandorr.com.
