Anthony Longworth “Tony” Dillard was born alongside his twin sister Annette Coward on January 16th , 1936 in Yanceyville, North Carolina. His parents, Nicholas Longworth Dillard and Gladys Dillard, were both educators at Yanceyville’s Caswell County Training School.

Tony was raised on the Bible, the arts, and developed a passion for education. When it was time for college, Tony attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee majoring in English. After graduation from Fisk University he was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his Master’s in Business Administration.

After graduation, Tony moved to New York City and began working with Western Electric which would later become AT&T.

On one afternoon in Queens, Tony was invited to a dance by a mutual friend where he met, Katherine Louise Dillard who would soon become his wife. A son and daughter would complete their family in the coming years.

In 1975, Tony had a job transfer offer from AT&T to relocate from Queens to Greensboro, North Carolina. Not long after he arrived in Greensboro, he brought his family to his grandfather’s church, St. Matthews United Methodist Church. Tony was very involved in the Church over the years including the United Methodist Men, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, several choirs, served as a Lay Leader, and served on various committees and special initiatives.

Tony loved music, fishing, reading, African American history, theology, travel, animals and entertaining people from all walks of life with his stories, jokes and tidbits of wisdom. He was also very active in the community serving on various boards and commissions. He will be deeply missed.

After complications from surgery in August 2021, Tony departed this life on Saturday, March 19th.

Tony is preceded in death by his wife 53 years Katherine L Dillard, his parents Nicholas Longworth Dillard and Gladys Motley Dillard. He leaves behind his sister Annette Coward of Greensboro, son Graham Dillard (Esther) of Ridgefield, New Jersey, daughter Charlene Dillard of Greensboro, grandson Nicholas Michael Anthony Dillard of Ridgefield, New Jersey, nephew Rod Coward (Lauren), and many close cousins, friends and Church members.

A service honoring his life will be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 at St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Visitation will begin at 11:30 am and the service follows at 12 noon.

Interment: Lakeview Memorial Cemetery

Professional services are entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.