NORMAN — Clara “Sally” Nelson Terry passed peacefully from this life Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, at age 98 in Norman. She was born Jan. 2, 1915, in Calion, Ark.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday in Southern Funeral Home chapel, 202 E. Lafayette St. in Winnfield, La., with interment following in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield.
The oldest of three girls, she grew up in Ruston, La., where after high school, she attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, now Louisiana Tech University, and graduated with a degree in music education in 1936. Her teaching career began in Atlanta, La., where she met Russell Lowell Terry, who was to become her husband of 58 years on Aug. 14, 1940. After their marriage, Sally and Russell moved to Winnfield, La. Her teaching career saw her not only in music classrooms but also in high school history, science and elementary school throughout Winn Parish. Her last assignment was teaching fourth grade at Sikes Elementary School. Sally was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, her Sunday Schoolclass at First Baptist Church in Winnfield, the Home Demonstration Club and the Retired Teachers Association.
After living in Winnfield for more than 50 years, Sally moved to Norman following the passing of her husband, Russell, and lived there 13 years. Her move to Norman was like opening a new chapter in a book. She had a new home built and decorated it to her specifications. An avid and excellent cook and hostess, she quickly made new friends and loved to explore central Oklahoma with close friends Mary Joe Ellison and Donna Huckabee. These three would take off so frequently that her family had to make an appointment to see her. She became an active member of Bethel Baptist and participated in many church activities.
She drove her car until the age of 92 and loved to visit and shop in many stores in the Norman area. In 2008, she moved to the Arbor House and once again began a new chapter in her busy life. She decorated her apartment with new furniture and quickly settled into Arbor House’s lifestyle. She served as president of the residence association for two years. She never had a cross word about anybody and went out of her way to assimilate new residents into the Arbor House
She had a passion for reading and usually completed two novels a week. Her good friend, Ann Reed, personally kept her supplied with books. She was also an outstanding knitter and never went on a trip without her needles and yarn. Friends and family treasure those things she lovingly made for them.
Her husband, Russell, former superintendent of schools of Winn Parish, and her sisters Velma Jones of San Antonio and Mary Alice Roberts of Albany, Ga., predeceased Sally.
Her son, Marvin Lowell (Bill) Terry and his wife Linda of Norman; daughter, Anne Wright and her husband Stuart of Marietta, Ga.; and daughter, Sue Fisher and husband Jim of Houston survive her. Granddaughter, Tonya Kuhn and husband Roget and their children Emma and Nick of Aspen, Colo.; grandson, James L. (Jay) Terry and daughter Shaylin of Basalt, Colo.; stepgrandchildren Melanie Cartwright and Darrin Cartwright and their children in Norman; and stepgrandson Charles Fisher and his son in Houston also survive her.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bethel Baptist Building Fund, 1717 W. Lindsey St., Norman, OK 73069.
The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook St. in Norman.
Norman Transcript, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013
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