Born on September 11, 1972 in Memphis, TN, Jill was raised in a Christian home and received the gift of salvation on October 23, 1988. She was a fifth-generation apostolic and was deeply appreciative of her Pentecostal heritage. She was a graduate of Bartlett High School and State Technical Institute at Memphis. On June 12, 1999, she married William M. Terry. Jill considered their three girls – Ellie Madison, 18; Amelia Elaine, 15; and Isabelle Candace, 12 – to be her life’s greatest treasures and often reminded them, “I am aiming you high.”
Jill is survived by her beloved husband Bill and daughters Ellie, Amelia, and Isabelle; her parents Jerry and Danita Sykes; sister Janet Sykes; and brother Jason (Becky) Sykes. She is also survived by her father-in-law William Terry; sisters-in-law Shirley (Bobby) Moore, Kristy (Shawn) Smith, and Wendy Wood; nephews Matthew, Harrison, Brandon, Dustin, and Jacob; and nieces Micayla, LaShawna, Ashton, Jorja, and Jessie. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Hoyal and Alene Sykes and Raymond and Mary Jackson. Jill leaves behind a host of other family and friends, all of whom she greatly loved.
Jill was a long-time member of GraceLife Pentecostal Church where she and her husband served as the Children’s Pastors. Jill also served the last few years, alongside her husband, in his position as the Tennessee District Children’s Ministry Secretary of the United Pentecostal Church International. Her passion for children’s ministry began at an early age, serving as a youth leader and Sunday School teacher for decades. Her love of children also carried over to her career. Jill was honored to serve as the Managing Director of Information Technology at Youth Villages, a non-profit organization that provides support to children and youth. She often testified that God hand-selected that organization and career for her nearly 25 years ago, and she firmly believed in the Youth Villages mission to be a force for families. Jill cherished her colleagues and was continually overwhelmed by their love and support. She never failed to acknowledge how good the Youth Villages family was to her.
Throughout her life, Jill exemplified her love for her Lord Jesus and His love for others, especially in her steadfast devotion to her family, her church, and her friends. She had a rare gift of ministering to others and challenging them to a closer relationship with God. Her faith was reflected in the statement, “I’ve walked with Jesus for enough yesterdays to trust Him with all my tomorrows.” Jill has seen, at last, the fulfillment of the scripture Job 42:5, “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth Thee.”
Family and friends are invited to rejoice in Jill Terry’s Home Going Service on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at GraceLife Pentecostal Church, 4820 South Germantown Road, Memphis, TN. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. with the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tennessee District Children’s Ministry with the notation “Jill Terry Memorial” (PO Box 549, Bon Aqua, TN 37025).
