Belva Terry

BELVA JOHNSON TERRY

Services will be held at the First Baptist Church Tuesday, January 3, at 2:00 p.m. for Belva Johnson Terry.

Visitation will be at Terpening son Mortuary Monday beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Beloved Grandma, GiGi, Mother, Aunt, and Sister, and friend, went home to see her Lord on Wednesday, December 28th, 2011. Her last week was full of family, peace, and laughter. Officiating at her services will be Rick Sullivan and her grandsons, Stuart Lanier, Jason Salmon, Lead Terry, Chris Dyer and Joey Johnson and greatnephews Ross Duncan and Michael Wadkins will be pall bearers.

She is reunited with her husband, Wesley, her parents, Robert N and Nora Pitcock Johnson and, her sisters, Wanda Brown and Evelyn Callaghan, and her brothers, Don and Dale Johnson and brothersinlaw Jerol Morris, George Buck Duncan, Bob Roach, Bill Hargrove, and Eldon Terry. Her sistersinlaw, Beaulah Williams and husband Bill, Jane and Corinne Terry.

She is survived by her children, Freddie Terry of Oracle, AZ, Saundi Lanier and her husband Bruce of Artesia, Ellen Salmon and her husband Tom of Allen, TX, Eddie Terry and his wife Loretta of Port St. Joe, FL., nine grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Martha Morris of Wellington, TX and Robena Duncan of Artesia, her brother Dean Johnson and his wife, Agatha of Tulia, TX, her sisterinlaws, Mickie Johnson, Daphene Roach, LeDon and husband J.E, and Sibyl Hargrove, her brothersinlaw, Leroy Brown and Larry Callaghan, Eugene Terry and wife Frances.

Belva was born November 19, 1924 and raised in Wellington, TX. She graduated from Samnorwood High School and Draughons Business College. She was married to Wesley Terry on October 8th, 1942. While Wesley was stationed overseas during the war, she contributed to the war effort, working in Michigan and also at Pantex in Amarillo. When Wesley returned home, they started a family and began farming in Collingsworth County, Texas. In 1954, they moved to Artesia, NM. She began working at Southern Union which later became The Gas Company of New Mexico, then PNM until she retired in 1986. That is when she and Wes really got to work, starting a small business out of a building in their backyard. Terrys Hobbies allowed them to pursue their artistic talents, she in ceramics and porcelin and he in woodwork, and allowed the rest of us to appreciate them in new and different ways.

That was her life, but more important was her legacy. She loved to be with family, to laugh, to hold her children and then her grandchildren and then her greatgrandchildren. She loved to be in the mountains. She loved to do things for people. She loved to give her time and her talents and her service to those who needed it, whether they knew it or not. She loved to drive, whether she was in the front seat or the back. But most of all, she loved children and because of that she leaves behind a family that lives, loves, and laughs with equal passion.

To those who knew her she was a friend. To those who needed, she was a provider. To those who grieved, she was a comfort. To everyone, she was a beacon of Gods love.

We will miss you.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her favorite charity, New Mexico Baptist Childrens Home, Box 629, Portalis, NM. 88130