Earl was deeply rooted in his values and worked hard to provide for his family until the very end. In his retirement he enjoyed keeping his yard in pristine condition, fixing anything and everything in the infamous Man Cave, pestering the great-grandkids, gathering pecans, and solving the world’s problems at the coffee shop. He loved Greenwood and enjoyed frequenting all his favorite spots - always with black coffee in hand and Sir Walter Raleigh in his pipe.
Earl was a multi-sport athlete at Greenwood High School and went on to play football at Connor’s State. He refereed high school football and basketball for many years before hanging up the whistle in 2010. Earl was an avid crappie fisherman who could be found navigating the waters of Lake Wister with his brother Ronnie on Saturday mornings. In his earlier years he touted an impressive golf game and enjoyed many afternoons at Vache Grasse with lifelong friends.
Earl was a proud 32nd degree Master Mason at the Greenwood Masonic Lodge #131. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and more specifically enjoyed fellowship with his brothers in Christ in Meno’s Sunday School class.
Earl met Janice Kay Nixon, the love of his life, at the Greenwood Skating Rink and two years later they were married on January 8, 1962 in Poteau. Together they had three children, one daughter and two sons. A true-navy-blue Bulldog, Earl was employed by the Greenwood Public Schools for more than 32 years, where he retired as the Director of Buildings and Grounds.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Hansell and Lois Naomi Madalene (Durden) Terry, sisters, Dorothy Rhodes, Frances June Terry, Betty Jean Whitlock, and brother, James Hansell Terry.
He is survived by his wife, Janice of Greenwood; daughter, Regina Thompson and husband, Scott of Fort Smith; two sons, Randy Terry and wife, Kristi of Fort Smith and Lance Terry and wife, Jessica of Greenwood; three granddaughters, Katy Valdez and husband, Jose of Cave Springs, Maegan Duplantis and husband, Bradley of Fort Smith and Allyson Terry of Fort Smith; great-grandchildren Ruby, Zack and Stella Duplantis and Roman Valdez; brother, Billy Jo Terry and wife, Connie of Alma; sister, Beverly Bryan and husband, Kenneth of Greenwood; brother, Jerry Terry and Serena of Greenwood; sister, Martha Milam and husband, Tony of Fort Smith; brother, Ronnie Terry of Greenwood; sister, Darlene Shubatt of Greenwood; dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews and countless friends.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 9 at Greenwood First Baptist Church with burial at Clark’s Chapel Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Tuesday from 2 – 7 p.m. at Greenwood First Baptist Church, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Justin Bobbitt, Wade Conley, Bradley Duplantis, Eric Keddie, Roger Thompson, Steve Thompson and Jose Valdez. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Meno’s Bible Class, members of the Masonic Lodge and his classmates from the Greenwood High School Class of 1961.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meno’s Bible Class, c/o First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 635, Greenwood, AR 72936.
