Rebecca Garrard Terry

Athens

Rebecca Garrard Terry passed away Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 at the age of 91, after a brief illness. Mrs. Terry, the daughter of the late Lamar Fletcher Garrard and Chappie Mae Garrard Broom was born October 4, 1918 in Corning, Arkansas. She moved to Rome, Georgia as a teenager. One of her jobs was working in a Greek restaurant, where a Hollywood talent scout, impressed with her beauty, asked her to screen test. She turned him down, thinking he was insincere, only later to discover he really was a talent scout. She married in 1938 and lived in Marietta, Georgia until moving to Athens in 1949. She resided in Athens until her passing.

Mrs. Terry was extremely active in her children’s lives, from serving as a school room-mother, to volunteering with her sons’ fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha. She was an active auxiliary member of Athens Regional Hospital (then Athens General), where she volunteered as a Pink Lady. Even though she was active in the community, she also found time to be a successful businesswoman for many years with Vivian Woodard Cosmetics.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Herbert Wayne Terry, and a son, Thomas Edward Terry. Mrs. Terry is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Suzanne and Walton Young of Duluth, Georgia; Debra and Mike Wooten of Athens, Georgia; son and daughter-in-law Randy and Evelyn Terry of Richmond, Virginia and daughter-in-law Jan Terry of Spartanburg, South Carolina; grandchildren Matthew Young and Amanda of Newnan, Georgia; Lauren and Blaine Wooten of Athens ,Georgia; Scott Terry of Richmond, Virginia; Melissa Cardwell and Dan of Charlottesville, Virginia; Lisa Solesbee and Joey of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Chris Terry and Summer, Boiling Springs, South Carolina; eight great-grandchildren, Alethia and Sophie Young, Kirstin and Brandon Bowden, Maddie Solesbee; Savannah and Carter Terry and Andrew Crowder; sister-in-law Frances Marshall of Bogart; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was an inspiration and joy to all who met her. She had a kind word for everyone and her positive demeanor and her quick wit were infectious. The family feels very blessed to have had her in our lives for 91 years. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 28 at 2 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, with a 1:30 visitation at the church. Dave and Carol Staton will be officiating. Entombment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Mary’s Hospice House, 1660 Jennings Mill Road, Bogart, Georgia 30622 or St. James United Methodist Church, 111 West Lake Dr., Athens, Georgia 30506.

On line condolences may be made at Bernsteinfuneralhome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.