Betty Terry

(From Parker Mortuary)

Betty Terry age 93 was born on October 24, 1928 to Mamie and Cecil Woods in Craig County, OK. She was the oldest of 10 children and her father delivered her at home. Betty passed away of natural causes on September 14, 2022 at the home of her daughter Rose in Loma Linda, MO.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Johnny E. Terry in 2010. Also her parents Mamie and Cecil Woods and siblings Rosetta Harmon, Lawrence Woods, Paul Woods, Clarence Woods and Carl Woods. 

She is survived by her daughters and their spouses: Jeannette and Phillip Carter of Edgewater, FL and Rose Mary and Larry Rainey of Loma Linda, MO. Three grandchildren: Jonathan Carter and spouse Michelle Carter of Pearland, TX, Anthea Harbin of Carthage, MO and Christopher Carter of Memphis, TN. Five great-grandchildren: Amber, Delsin, Nathan, Colton and Marshall. Three great-great-grandchildren: Zane, Z’aira and Weston. She is also survived by siblings: Georgia Harmon, Patty Turley, Don Woods and Charles Woods plus numerous nieces, nephews, extended cousins and relatives.

After the family moved to Joplin from Oklahoma she met John and they began their nomadic Naval life that lasted 25 years. They moved to California stationed in San Diego, National City, and Long Beach. After California they moved to Corpus Christi, TX where they had quite an adventure with Hurricane Carla. The longest station they were at was Honolulu, Hawaii. While there, John was in Viet Nam but Betty and the girls were able to stay in Hawaii. After Hawaii they were stationed in Norfolk, VA where John finally retired and they moved back to Joplin to be near family.

Betty loved to read, solve puzzles and visit with all her family. She was full of family history and looked forward to the annual Family Reunion in Schifferdecker Park. She had some very interesting jobs during her life. She worked at Redings Mill selling watermelons, she rolled cigars at a cigar plant in Joplin, during her Naval adventures she bagged groceries at the commissary, worked at Krispy Kreme in Virginia, in Joplin she worked picking eggs at Bell Egg Farm and cooked meals at Hall's Food Mart in Duenweg.

She taught her daughters to appreciate the Arts and Sciences, to expand their thoughts and thinking outside of the box. She took them to every free museum or art gallery at every station and instilled in them the power of reading a book. When asked once if she would have liked to have been a Librarian her answer was, “Oh no, I’d be too busy reading to help anyone”. She also taught them to look at the other side of an issue and to ask questions if they didn’t understand something. If something doesn’t seem right then ask a question no matter how dumb you think it could be.

She was a very quiet person most of her life and didn’t express too much. She was a very strong woman who managed a household while her husband was away at sea or training. She would learn to express herself as she got older saying that women had the ability and right to stand up for themselves and that no man should tell a woman what she could or could not do.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with her brother, Charles Woods and son-in-law Phil Carter officiating.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

The family is having a meal at Iron Gates Christian Church around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, and friends are invited to join the family and share memories and refreshments.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.