Frances Terry

She was born to Everett and Gladys Bell on June 25, 1933 in Memphis, Texas, and graduated from Wellington High School in Wellington, Texas in 1950. During her high school years, she participated in drama, choir, basketball and was voted “Best All Around Girl” as a senior.

After seeing a picture of Eugene (Gene) Terry in a friend’s apartment, and with a little encouragement, Frances began corresponding with Gene while he served his country in Korea. They wrote one another faithfully for eight months coming to know each other through the power of the pen. Frances sent a postcard picture to Gene upon request. On the back of it, she wrote, “Well, Gene, here you are. I am no Jane Russell, but will remain always yours, Fran”. On Christmas Eve, 1952, during a leave from Korea, they had their first date. They were engaged by the time he reported back to active duty at the end of January and married in May of 1953.

Frances is survived by Gene and their two daughters, Deanna Terry of Greeley, Colorado and Lisa Terry (Christin Espinoza) of Sacramento, California. They have many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, and her brothers, J.E. Bell and Ronald Bell.

Frances practiced her deep faith at churches of Christ in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Gillette, Wyoming, Tucson, Arizona and most recently at the Westview Church of Christ in Greeley.

Frances and Gene enjoyed traveling together and with friends. Some of their favorite destinations were Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Washington D.C. and the Grand Canyon.

As an award-winning basketball player in high school, Frances loved watching NCAA men’s basketball with her husband, especially the University of Arizona Wildcats, a team they watched faithfully during and after their 27 years living in Tucson, Arizona. March Madness was an annual event for Frances and Gene, and they thoroughly enjoyed attending the Final Four tournament on several occasions.

Frances was enormously proud of her family, loving them with a ferocity only a mother could understand. She frequently reminisced about family fun with Gene and the girls - whether a Christmas Day horse-drawn sleigh ride in the mountains of Aspen or the road trips they took in the early years playing games and singing songs in the family Pontiac.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, 702 13th Street in Greeley, Colorado. A light lunch reception will follow at Westview Church of Christ, 4151 W. 20th Street in Greeley at 11:30 a.m.

Please visit www.allnuttgreeley.com to send condolences to the family.