Mrs. Loeta Jo Terrell, age 76, of Jonesborough, TN passed away Friday, July 4, 2014 at her residence with family and friends by her side.
Loeta Jo (nicknamed Skeeter) was born August 3rd 1937 in Fruitvale, Texas to the late Harrison and Ida Hedgcoth. She married Jack Terrell in 1954, and together they have a daughter Deborah Kay Read, and a son Gary Scott Terrell.
In 1975 Jack’s line of work took him to Alaska where they resided and he became a partner in a successful business. While there, “Skeeter” became a well-known and avid sport salmon “fisherwoman.” She was contacted thru the “door-to-door” ministry and became a baptized “fisher of men” in July 1989 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
By then she was lovingly known as “Mimi” by her six grandchildren and close friends. After Jack’s retirement, they moved back to Texas where they both were raised.
She conducted numerous bible studies that she referred to as her “spiritual children” and she loved each one dearly. She often related how some of her best moments were the times she spent in the “field ministry.” Because of her spunky personality, she had the ability to witness to ones most of us could never get a word in edge-wise.
She loved her family and took great joy in life spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She has dear friends from the congregations in Alaska, Texas and now here in Tennessee. Many times she related how she and her childhood friend Mary Lou talked and dreamed of living in the state of Tennessee. She realized that dream a year and a half ago.
She was also well known for her “hot sauce” and “buttermilk pies”, she generously shared. She was always looking forward to the “Paradise” on earth. She fought the fine fight and stayed her course on the race to the reward of everlasting life.
Survivors include her husband, Jack Terrell, Jonesborough; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah Kay & Bill Read, Jonesborough; son and daughter-in-law, Gary Scott & Sherry Terrell, Mathis, Texas; sister, Joyce Plott, Kansas; five grandchildren, Melinda K. Pennington, Jonesborough, Sonja Olson, Jackie Terrell and Jason Schnider, Alaska; and twelve great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by brothers, Jerry & John Hedgcoth, one sister, Jean White, grandchild, William Leland Read and a great grandchild, Erica Jo Olson.
A memorial will be held 6:00 PM Friday, July 11, 2014 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Olde Towne Congregation, 105 Parsons Circle, Jonesborough, TN.