Mary Lou Terrell

Our beloved mother, Mary Lou (Cassel) Terrell, was born in Austin, Texas on July 21, 1935. She was the only & greatly cherished daughter of Walker & Eudora Cassel. The couple was then living in her mother Guesses boarding house not far from the Texas state capital, where Eudora’s parents boarded UT college students. In fact, grandmother Guess helped deliver mom & care for her as an infant.

Moms growing up years involved living in many different places, as grandpa Cassel had to keep looking for employment at a time when jobs were scarce. Mom was very shy so changing schools often was hard for her, but her mom helped eased the transitions & despite their often low income, always made their house a loving home. Mom recalled often with fondness the house they shared in a California Orange Grove, and another where many avocado trees grew, consumed by a group of outdoor cats who mom told us with amusement were always fat & sleek. She also recalled from her parents leaner years a tiny apartment where she had no bedroom at all, just a pull down Murphy bed in the living area.

By the time mom was graduating high school the family was residing in Louisville, Kentucky. Her parents had found their niche in the Nutrilite/Amway business & were running their own very successful business. Mom recalled with happiness attending her high school graduation/prom at Churchill downs where the Kentucky Derby is held annually.

Moms family relocated back to California & she attended the University of California at Long Beach, earning a Bachelors of Arts. While attending college mom rented a room with an older widow lady with whom she was very fond, Mrs. Swift. Mom joined a sorority, ZTA (Zeta Tau Alpha), where she was on the board and very actively involved. Post college mom continued with ZTA, attending parties & supporting their events & various charities.

Mom had become active in an area church youth group, and there met the love of her life, Bill Terrell, our father. In her final years mom would often tell the tale of how she’d managed to get our dad to commit. Their courtship had been in full swing for some time, but dad still remained a reluctant suitor. Mom let the word out that she’d invited another young man from their youth group to visit her at her parents home. Our grandmother watched with great humor as our father screeched up to their house in his car, slammed the door and stomped up the front walk like a man on a mission! Dad was able to send the unsuspecting young man away very quickly with only the cool, blue steel of his furious glare! Thankfully the happy couple soon became engaged, and married in Oakland California on August 15, 1960 surrounded by only their parents & favorite pastor. Mom worked as an elementary teacher while dad finished up college at CAL Berkeley. Later, they relocated to Concord, California & adopted two children, Julie & Patrick.

The family relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan & mom kept very busy raising two children, leading a women's community bible study, being a Girl Scout & Pioneer leader, serving on the PTO, and many other volunteer activities. My parents involvement in an amateur theatre group which raised funds for the local elementary school was a highlight for mom. She acted on stage, sang, danced & worked as the producer for many years. She was active in our church but family was always first, and our parents never missed a single game, recital or concert.

Mom attended travel school, flight school & a community college in order to learn computer skills, which she utilized for several years while working at Bechtel, the company where our dad was employed. She loved our annual trips to Texas for Guess family Reunions, our many family vacations & our travels back to California to visit our grandparents each year.

Our dad was transferred to Texas & mom was returned to her beloved home state. She enjoyed being a part of the women's Acapella choir Sweet Adeline's, their church in Alvin, women’s retreats, and her love of people & educating led her to volunteer with Literacy Advanced. Mom also tutored several adults who needed to gain confidence in their literacy & increase their skills to find better employment. In hindsight mom said that she gained so much more from these experiences than any help she may have given.

Mom cared for her own mother in her final years, with whom she had lived with for a lot of her adult life, until our grandmother’s passing nearly six years ago. Dad was also extremely active in our Gram’s final care, and both our parents were an amazing example of honoring your parents & how to love them in their final stages of life. And they were role models in many other aspects as well. In their final years our parents traveled even more, ate tons of Mexican food and loved their children & grandchildren with full & generous hearts.

Our mom passed away on August, 13, 2016, eight months after the passing of our beloved father. Moms departure from this earth was much like her character; peaceful, serene & beautiful. Our family remains grateful to God that her passing seemed without suffering, that we all were able to say our personal goodbyes, and that she departed this earth hearing the voices & laughter of her entire family that surrounded her. And that mom was returned to the company of her beloved husband who was awaiting her in their new home with open arms. Two days after her homecoming our parents celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary TOGETHER in Heaven!

Mom/Mary Lou is survived by her son Patrick & daughter in law Deborah, grandchildren John-Michael & his wife Rashida, Savannah, Richard, and her great grandson Caleb (son of John & Rashida). Her daughter Julie & son in law Stephen, grandchildren Michaela & her fiancé David, Brendan & Cole.

Our family has so much to be thankful for, though we will miss our mom (and dad) more than words could possibly express. Our appreciation for the gift of knowing this incredible lady, for having had the blessing & privilege of having her as a mom & a grandmother will never leave us. Nor will the impact of her kindness & love. Mom & Dad, Papa & Nana, Grandma & Grandpa…we love you both so very much…