Teresa (Terri) M. De La Rosa, 82, of Fort Smith, AR, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2018 after a brief and sudden illness. She was born in Mexico City, Mexico, on October 9, 1935 to the late Carlos and Mercedes (Ocaranza) Martinez. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Poteau, OK.
She is survived by her husband Armando (Dee) De La Rosa of the home and daughters Patricia of Cedar Hill, TX, Doris of Fort Smith and Ruth of Fort Smith. Additionally, Terri leaves behind a sister Mercedes Martinez Ocaranza of Mexico City.
A Memorial Service is planned for the future. Cremation was under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.
Terri was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She moved to the U.S. upon marrying her beau, Armando. They soon settled in Oklahoma.
Terri was a homemaker and mother as the family grew to include three daughters.
During this time, Terri learned English, learned to drive and became active in her daughters’ activities and in their local church.
In the early 80’s Terri was asked to teach English to the Cuban refugees at Fort Chaffee. Teaching became her passion. She had the distinction of teaching Spanish to Medical Professionals through Carl Albert Junior College and via satellite to the Sallisaw campus. Later Terri became a teacher’s assistant teaching E.S.L. in the Panama and Heavener school districts.
Terri was an exuberant person, making friends everywhere she went!
Terri loved plants (“she had a “green thumb”), birds (she talked to them daily), toys (a collection of tiny things occupied an entire bookshelf), sunflowers (a large painting hangs prominently in her home), and shopping (her husband, Dee, never had his own closet)!
Terri’s sweet spirit brought out the tenderness in others. She leaves behind countless friends who helped her in many ways, including wait staff, hair stylists, bank tellers, grocery and store clerks, students and her church family.
A full Mariachi band welcomed Terri to Heaven last Tuesday. And God said, “Bienvenida, Tere!”
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