Terry Lee Van Der AA

Terry Lee Van Der AA, 72, of Kingsport, passed away on Thursday, morning November 10, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on June 13, 1950 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan which officially makes her a “Yooper”.

She grew up in various communities surrounding the Munising area on the shore of Lake Superior in a family of hard-working loggers, construction workers, commercial fisherman and farmers.

She is preceded in death by her sisters Fern and Iris, and her brothers Wayne, Gordon, and Neil “Spike” all who stilled lived in the Munising area.

She is survived by her two younger brothers, Tom Moore of Chatham Michigan and Tim More of Antigo Wisconsin; husband, Randy Van Der Aa of Kingsport; daughter, Christy Johnson; grandson Cole Shupe of Kingsport; son, Dana Michael Johnson; granddaughters, Raegan and Lilly Johnson; and grandson Dana Johnson of Jonesborough.

Terry was a loving mother and a very creative soul, she enjoyed many crafty endeavors sewing and crocheting cloths, and play costumes for her children and then grandchildren. Making and refinishing furniture and repurposing items was a passion. She even won first place in the Funfest repurposing contest sponsored by the Habitat for Humanity. She also enjoyed remodeling homes. She did partial remodels on two homes and complete remodels on 3 homes. These projects kept here busy after retiring from the phone company and later a cell tower construction company SBA. She was also a member of the Kingsport Basket Guild. Her furniture and baskets adorn many homes and some businesses in the area and beyond. One of her baskets even made it to Australia. She is the only person I know who could furnish a whole house with a $1000 and elbow grease.

We will miss your sage advice, laughter, love, creative spark, and soft touch of your hand. Thanks for all the cool things you gave us to remember you by and your flower garden that is still the envy of the neighborhood.