Janie Terrell

With heavy hearts and deep sadness, the family of Janie Harris Terrell, 78, announce her passing on the January 21, 2021 shortly after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Janie was born in Gadsden, AL on July 31, 1942 and has been a lifelong resident of Altoona, AL.

Janie, along with husband Melton G. Terrell, have been the longstanding owners of Mountain Top Flea Market in Attalla, AL, for almost 50 years. Janie has remained a long-standing member of the National Flea Market Association. She was one of the first two women elected to the Etowah County Commission District 4 in 1994, where she served from 1994-1996. She has been active in many state and local civic organizations, including past president of the North Alabama Tourist Association, past president of the Gadsden Museum Board and The Woman’s Club. She was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Honor on Nov. 5, 2003. Janie had a passion for giving back to her community. Throughout her lifetime she supported multiple local charities including youth organizations, Christmas coalitions, United Way and Senior Citizen Groups.

She grew up in Alabama City, AL and graduated from Emma Samson High School. She attended Business School in Gadsden, AL and shortly afterwards moved to Atlanta, GA. She returned to Alabama once she married. She was a world traveler and avid scuba diver. She and Melton traveled to many locations in the Caribbean to scuba dive throughout the years. Janie always loved meeting and talking with people and never met a stranger. She was a very giving soul and had a kind heart. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all her friends.

She was predeceased in death by her parents, William "Bill" Delap Harris and Valda Smith Harris, and her youngest brother James “Frankie” Harris. She is survived by her husband Melton G. Terrell of Altoona, AL; her children Susan Terrell Huffman (Terry) of Birmingham and Melton P. Terrell (Dana) of Cambridge, England; her grandchildren Dusty V. Terrell of Trussville, AL, Connor and Jacob Terrell of Cambridge; sibling Terry A. Harris (Joan) of Miramar Beach, FL; her godchildren Tristin Powell Callahan (Patrick) of Albertville, AL, and Tallon Powell of Altoona, AL.

A memorial service will be held at Morgan Funeral Home in Attalla, AL on Tuesday, 26 January 2021. The family will accept visitation from 5pm-7pm. And a memorial service will begin at 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Terrell asks that you consider a donation to a veteran’s organization.