Norma Jean Terry
Funeral services for Norma Jean Terry, 88, of Teague, will be held on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Teague Church of Christ.
Benjamin Neeley will officiate. Interment will follow at Driver Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, with the family present, from 6-8 p.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague. Mrs. Terry passed away on Jan. 12, 2023, at the home of her son in Bullard.
Jean was born on Sept. 2, 1934, to Raymond and Laura Tacker of Freestone. She grew up on the Freestone County Farm her great grandfather, Jacob Wesley Tacker bought in 1871.
She would tell stories of riding a horse to school with her metal lunch bucket and telling the locals her last name was Norma Jean McEntire because she liked the name of the neighbor kids. After grade school Jean was double promoted and the family moved to Teague where Jean graduated as Valedictorian of her class in 1951 at the age of 16.
She met Beasley Terry when he moved back to Teague after serving as a marine in the war. They married on June 10, 1951, and their only son Stephen was born on July 6, 1961.
Jean was active in the Young Homemakers of Texas and served as Area President of the Young Homemakers of Texas in 1965-66 and Vice President in 1966-68. During that time, she worked as Chairman of the state project committees emphasizing cooperative civic and community endeavors.
One such project was the National Beautification Program on which she received a letter from Lady Bird Johnson commending her and her committee for work done. In 1969, she received the Bill Boyd Service Cup Award by the Teague Rotary Club given to a citizen contributing outstanding service to the community.
She was recognized for serving the community as Blood Program Chairman of Teague by preparing the public for visits from the blood center in Waco. She continued to volunteer for the Bloodmobile for many years.
She worked as Brownie, Girl Scout and Cub Scout Leader. Band parent and volunteered to work local elections and was a State Delegate Representative during the 1996 election.
She was a talented artist and loved to paint and enjoyed organizing the local area Art League. The mural of the baptistry in the Church of Christ was painted by Jean, Ruth Hall, Mildred Hullum and Quanita Kirtchner.
She was described by a dear friend, “Jean was a perfectly organized homemaker and loved every minute of it.”
She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and taught bible class for children and ladies. Spoke at many of the Ladies Day Classes.
A leader of the food committee for many years in planning and serving others. She also helped with singing at funerals.
She always enjoyed traveling on “We Care Campaigns” with West Monroe, La. Church of Christ in Texas and other states. Her travels included visiting the Holy Land.
Door knocking campaigns locally — always ready to teach someone about Christ. She was a shining example, leader, teacher, and encourager for ladies and all people as a Christian following Christ’s example.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Beasley Terry; and her parents, Raymond and Laura Tacker.
She is survived by her son, Stephen and wife Glynda; her stepson, Brian Jordan; two sisters, Linda Emmons and JoAnn Milton; two nieces, Julee Emmons and Kim Reese; eight nephews, Andy Emmons and Sandy, Chad Burke and Jenny, Jake Burke and Lauren, Nick Burke, Daylon Reese, Kris Burke, Mike Terry and Beverly, Albert Terry and Susie, and Richard Finley; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen
Memorials may be sent to Driver Cemetery, c/o Melissa Baldree, P.O. Box 363, Johnson City, Texas 78636 or to the nonprofit of your choice.
Please visit our website at www. bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or leave a message for the family.