“My philosophy on life comes from Proverbs 3:5-6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths,'” said Mary Tillman.
“I promote gospel music, words of inspiration and encouragement.”
Tillman mixes wit and wisdom as the host of a radio program, “Saturday Morning Praises,” which airs on Saturday mornings from 7-7:45 a.m. on KIRL 1460 AM.
Tillman has been working as a radio personality in St. Louis for about 15 years. She got her start as an announcer for a minority contracting company called C.L. Curtain. The name of the program was called “C.L. Curtain Time.”
Another local radio personality, Ruby Summerville-Dickson, helped her get started. Tillman has also worked with another well-known radio voice, Ernest Greenlea, affectionately known as “210 pounds of shouting joy.” She has emceed programs throughout the country.
Mary has a good relationship with local gospel artists, and does her best to attend as many CD release parties, anniversaries and showcases that she can. She appreciates the local talent, but considers herself as an “independent contractor.”
“As a radio personality, I contract for a slot of time and get our own sponsors. I’m what they call a ‘broker.’ For many years, this was a male-dominated field, and it took some time for people to get used to me,” Tillman said.
Some of Mary’s greatest challenges have been learning radio jargon, being accepted by established peers and getting along without compromise. She said that she brought a different “air” into the studio. Mary admitted that sometimes her self-confidence and flamboyance intimidated some of her male colleagues.
“No gimmicks. I’m just being real,” she said.
Tillman sometimes admits that weekends turn into “workdays,” but meeting pastors from various churches and other church workers is a “joy.”
Some of her future plans are to reach those who are unsaved through evangelism, the homebound and the sick. She also wants to promote unity in bringing others to Christ by breaking down barriers of “competition” amongst individuals working in the gospel music ministry.
Mary is motivated by the music that she plays on the radio and in her own church, Original West End Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, located at 5501 Oriole, where she serves in several capacities. She is church clerk, director of Christian education, assistant music director and also plays piano.
In addition to duties at her own church, Mary works full-time as an office manager at First Baptist Church of Chesterfield.
“I’m very fortunate in that I get to work for the Lord seven days a week, in one way or another,” said Tillman.
Mary realized her love for music at an early age in her hometown of Tillatoba, Miss. Her mother, Annie Mae House, one of Mary’s biggest inspirations, said that she began singing in her own “baby language” the words to “I’ll Fly Away.” Tillman speaks of deep and abiding love for her mother’s support while she was growing up in Kinloch.
“My mother has always been there to encourage me. She instilled in me a belief that I could do anything,” said Tillman.
Tillman considers herself to be “self-motivated” and draws daily inspiration from the word of God.
“I often say at the close of the day, ‘Lord, it’s been a mighty good day,'” Tillman said.
A candid and very effervescent personality, Mary Tillman exudes joy and confidence.
She sums up her work thus far: “Not bad for a little girl from Mississippi, black, left-handed and female.”