Terri Selby

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Teresa L. Selby (Terri), of Joplin, was born on Sunday, May 16th 1948. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

After receiving her degree in education from Southwest Baptist University, Terri was an elementary school teacher for several years in Joplin. 

As a member of Empire Baptist Church she met her husband, Gary, and they were married in March 1975.

Once Terri and Gary started their family, Terri took on the hardest job she would ever love as a stay-at-home mom to the couple's four children. However, this job title does not adequately describe all that she was to her children and all that she did for her children. 

Terri was an involved classroom parent always present at her children's school parties. She was quick to help with homework after school and known to type school reports for her children back in the 1900s when the only keyboard was on a typewriter. 

Terri taught herself how to make and decorate cakes and made sure each of her children had a special birthday cake each year. All of her children knew that she would have dinner ready once Dad got home and everyone would sit together at the family table to talk about their day. She tirelessly traveled to soccer tournaments for her youngest sons during their high school years. 

Every summer, she looked forward to taking family vacations around the country and making memories with her kids. While balancing all her children's activities and needs, Terri also frequently helped out at her husband's dental practice as a fill-in secretary and office manager. In retirement, she enjoyed new hobbies included crocheting and learning to paint with her granddaughters.

More than anything else, Terri loved spending time with her family. She dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother and then grandmother. Terri always shared how proud she was of her kids and their accomplishments, both in their professional lives and as parents themselves. However, her proudest moments were being “Mimi” to her grandchildren. 

Terri loved being a grandmother and being wth her grandchildren. She was known for spoiling them and her motto was "At Mimi's house, the answer is always YES." No request was denied from letting them eat donuts and cookies for breakfast or brownies for dinner and anything in between. 

From late night phone calls with her oldest granddaughters to sleepovers at Mimi and Papa's house, Terri was happiest in the love and laughter of her grandchildren who all adore her deeply and are blessed with amazing memories of their Mimi.

She is survived by her husband, Gary of 47 years; four children, Aimee Golden and husband Eric of Carl Junction, MO; John Selby and wife Larrah of Melissa, Texas; Matthew Selby and wife Natsuki of Carrollton, Texas; and Michael Selby and wife Andi of Branson, MO along with ten grandchildren; Abbigail, Jennavieve, Annalise, Scarlett, Madilynn, Jonah, Alex, Charlie, Maxwell, and Alistair.

The family plans a private graveside memorial but welcomes anyone who wants to pay their respects to attend an open visitation on Friday, February, 24, 2023 at Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. The family also wishes to thank all of those who loved and cared for her.