Jerri Joette Tillett

Jerri Joette Tillett

Jan. 5, 1953 – Jan. 12, 2021

Jerri Joette Tillett died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021.

She was born to Royce and Marian Tillett, a ranching family, on Jan. 5, 1953, and spent her childhood roaming the hills she loved, helping her dad on the ranch, taking care of her younger brothers and sisters and doing typical childhood activities. The highlight of her childhood was being able to start a fire out in the hills from scratch with only one match.

She graduated from Lovell High School in 1971, attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Her parents instilled in her a love of learning, and she subsequently went on to receive a master’s in photography from California and a doctorate in Oriental medicine from Boston College of Oriental Medicine.

After college, she spent several years traveling in Mexico and Central America. She later settled down on the home place at the head of Crooked Creek. She spent her remaining years producing beautiful jewelry, collecting Opel cars and taking her nieces and nephews on many adventures. 

She was also a strong advocate on behalf of the Pryor Mountain mustangs, even being willing to take on the government, as her dad, Royce Tillett, and grandmother, Bessie Tillett, had done years before.

Jerri was preceded in death by her father, Royce Tillett; longtime companion Joey Deeg; and brothers-in-law Bruce Bigham, Ken Lippert and Douglas Spottedeagle. 

She is survived by her mother, Marian Tillett; sisters Tonee Bigham, Nikki Lippert-Spottedeagle, Randi (Karl) Weaver and Tamara (Steve) Linse; brothers Jim (Nancy) and Rob (Marilyn); many nieces and nephews; and Sammy, her beloved dog. She was deeply loved and will be missed.

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