Alva Lee Terrell

Born February 24, 1939 in Henderson, NC, Alva was a son of the late Benjamin Pettis Terrell and Gladys Haithcock Terrell. He enjoyed many school sports and social activities throughout high school with his twin brother, Andrew. They continued their education at Campbell College and Wake Forest University, excelling in tennis, swimming and diving teams and with their Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity.

Alva began a successful insurance business in Charlotte in 1964, establishing the Alva Lee Terrell & Associates Insurance Agency, and earning numerous national sales awards until his untimely death. In his later years, he also enjoyed his experiences with Wal-Mart in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Alva joined the First Baptist Church of Henderson as a boy, and later, Charlotte churches Carmel Baptist and Providence Road Baptist, as a father. Being a member of Olde Providence Racquet Club for 50 years and serving on the board of directors, Alva coordinated professional tennis tournaments at this facility, and had a successful amateur tennis career himself. Participating in civic activities in his early years, he was a member, and served as Chapter President of a Charlotte Civitan Club.

Alva is survived by his twin brother and closest friend, Andrew Terrell and sister-in-law Jackie of Raleigh; his sister, Susan Terrell Whitten and brother-in-law Dicky of Henderson; as well as five nieces and nephews and their children.

Also surviving are the sources of his greatest happiness and pride, his children and grandchildren. His families of children and grandchildren are Tracy Church and Rebecca of Rock Hill, SC; Ben Terrell (JoAnn), Ben and Alex of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Chris Terrell and Christina of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Kenneth Terrell (Kelly), Matt, Coleman and Jacob of Lynchburg, VA; and Cape Terrell of Greensboro, NC.

The family members and friends of Alva Lee Terrell will never again, in this lifetime, see the joy of life and love of people that so marked his very being, but will celebrate the vivid memories of Alva that we hold so dear.

Friends are invited to a memorial service to be held Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 11 o’clock in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Henderson, NC to be conducted by the Reverend Dr. Ron Cava. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service in the ladies parlor of the church. Inurnment will be private in the church columbarium prior to the memorial service.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Abe Ross, George S. Daly, Dr. William G. Porter, and Hugh Wise, all of Charlotte, Maurice A. Boyd of Henderson, and Thornton H. Yancey of Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Mothers Against Drunk Driving; the Preston Robert Fisk Brain Tumor Center at Duke (DUMC, Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710); or the First Baptist Church of Henderson (PO Box 75, Henderson, NC 27536).