Thelma Grace Jones Terry Obituary (1941 - 2019)

The Hallmark Of Life Thelma Grace Jones Terry, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend transitioned from this life on Tuesday August 13th, 2019 at Mainland Center Hospital in Texas City, Texas. Thelma was born to the union of James Jones Jr. and Amy Early Jones on January 26, 1941 in Simmesport, Louisiana. Thelma accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Bethel Baptist Church in Simmesport, Louisiana. Thelma attended school from elementary through high school in The Simmesport school district, graduating from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High school in 1960. After receiving her diploma, Thelma attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1962, Thelma moved to Galveston, Texas where she met and married Ronald Terry Sr. and to this union three lovely children were born: Kimberly Renee, Ronald Jr., and Robert Glenn. Thelma took pride in caring for others and she began a career in the health care profession and worked 32 years at St. Mary's Hospital and later for Family Medicine Clinic at UTMB in Galveston, Texas before retiring. After retirement, she became better known as 'Granny.' Granny was the best occupation she could have had because she enjoyed being the best grandmother and great-grandmother that she could be. Her children and grandchildren were her world and she was theirs. She would help anyone that needed a hand. She loved to work in her flower beds, and visit Food Banks to carry food to people who were home bound. Thelma loved visiting her sister in Simmesport, Louisiana. She engaged herself in all of the activities of her children and grandchildren. Thelma would attend basketball games, softball games and any other activities her loved ones participated in. She was their number one fan. She use to say I have never met a stranger, just people whose names I didn't know. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, James Jr, and Amy Early Jones, two grandchildren: Karina Terry, and Kendrick Deon Nelson aka ' Ace Boogie Bama", five sisters: Cora Jones Melton, Vizella Jones Thornton, Henrietta Jones Brown, Rosa Lee Jones Winchester, and Irene Jones. Seven brothers: Eldridge, James Jr., Paul, Fred, Hilary (Helena), John, and Sidney. Here to honor her legacy, cherish the wonderful memories, and celebrate her spectacular life are her loving and devoted children: Kimberly Renee Nelson Smith (Norman), Ronald Terry Jr., Robert Terry Sr., and two honorary children Esperanza (Hopie) Terry and Kelvin Moore. Grandchildren who she helped raise: Robert Terry Jr., Erika Grace Terry, and Mia Terry. Grandsons: Elzie Nelson III, Brandon Nelson (Tamisha), granddaughters: Alisha Nelson, Apiffany Terry, Tristyn Terry, and Armani Terry, great granddaughters: Destiny Smith, Karina Grace Terry Lara, and two great grandsons: Robert Terry III, and Royce Terry, a loving and devoted sister, Ms. Earllean Jones of Simmesport, Louisiana, four very special nieces and two special nephews that she helped care for as though they were her own: Agnes Rose (Cricket ) Johnson from Saginaw, Michigan, Jacqueline Ruffin (Butch), Tammye Smith (Willie) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Akemi Mitchell (Tony) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Timothy Jones (Tina) from Shreveport, Louisiana, and William Johnson from Saginaw, Michigan, two very special extended family members: Quence Miller and Terri Richards, very special friends better known as the 'Golden Girls": Earnell Batiste, Donaldleen King, Margaret Walker, and Erma Washington, and a very devoted neighbor: Mrs. Mattie Orman.