Evelyn Joyce Williams Terry

Evelyn Joyce Williams Terry, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother went to be with her Lord on Sunday, August 14, 2022. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on September 26, 1932 to George Dallas Williams, Sr. and Vonnie Cathern Mitchell Williams. Her family made their home in Colonial Place in Norfolk. They were members of the Park Place Baptist Church where Evelyn, as a teenager, taught Sunday School. Since her home was near the Lafayette River, Evelyn would spend her summer days with her friends crabbing and picnicking down by the river. She was often accompanied by her little brother, Dal, who insisted on tagging along. She took her role as big sister very seriously, so much so that her family nickname became “Sister.”

When Evelyn was a little girl, her grandmother came to live with her family. Evelyn simply adored her, and she began to call her Two-Mama because the bond they shared was as strong as that of mother and daughter. When it was her turn to be a grandmother, Evelyn asked that she also be called Two-Mama in her honor. She became Two-Mama to all of her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, all of the spouses that became part of the family and even some neighborhood kids!

Throughout her school years in Norfolk, Evelyn made many lifelong friends. Upon graduating from Maury High School, she began working at the Army Corps of Engineers. Shortly afterwards, she met and married Thomas Richard Terry, her companion and loving husband for 70 years. Evelyn and Tommy bought their first home in Roland Park, Norfolk, a wonderful neighborhood in which to raise their growing family, Grace Lynne, Ricky, and Mitchell. It was is in Roland Park that Evelyn cultivated her love of gardening. She discovered that she had a green thumb. Every plant she touched flourished. She joined the local garden club and her flower arrangements were award-winning. She also became a member of the First United Methodist Church, where Tommy and the rest of the Terry family were active members. Many a Sunday was spent getting all of her children ready for Sunday School and Church. Church was followed by Mom Terry’s Sunday dinner and an afternoon with Mom, Pop, and all the Terry, Sutton, Smith, and Clements aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In 1963, Tommy and Evelyn moved to Virginia Beach to live on what was later affectionately called the “Terry Compound” on the Lynnhaven River. For almost 60 years, Evelyn transformed fields and marshes into gardens that would rival a city park. She became the surrogate mom to baby squirrels, ducks, raccoons, chickens, dogs, cats, and any other animal that found their way to her. In addition to making a home for her loving family, she helped Tommy with his growing construction business. She was the comptroller of Home Modernization Center, training many secretaries in bookkeeping and the daily operations of a construction company. Evelyn was active in the company until her retirement in 2015.

Evelyn’s interests were wide ranging. Her needlework skills were admired by everyone. She always had a project going, whether it was crewel embroidery, needlepoint, crochet, or cross-stitch. She particularly loved decorating for holidays. Every room received her special touch. As grandchildren and great-grandchildren entered the Terry Clan, a beautiful baby blanket was lovingly crocheted and given to each child. Evelyn also would create a customized, sequin-adorned Christmas stocking to be displayed at Christmas with the rest of the family’s stockings. The stockings became a focal point of Christmas morning with each child looking for the one with their name on it. This past Christmas, the walls of her room at Atlantic Shores were covered with those same stockings. The staff were overwhelmed by the love and care that Evelyn had put into each. They quickly realized what a special woman she was.

In addition to her love of gardening and crafts, Evelyn took on the role of family historian. Inspired by her Uncle Frank Williams, a genealogist, Evelyn started researching each branch of the Williams and Terry family trees. Her enthusiasm was contagious. It wasn’t long before Tommy and Lynne were often included in her search for an elusive ancestor. Before computers made research easier, Evelyn and Tommy spent hours at courthouses in Virginia and North Carolina pouring over worn and faded record books. They even traveled to Massachusetts in her quest to complete the family tree. She gathered stories that breathed life into each ancestor, and her home became the resting place of portraits, antiques, and family heirlooms. Visitors were often given a “tour” in which Evelyn lovingly told the story behind each piece. The role of these ancestors in American and local history enabled her to join the Rev. Robert Hunt Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists as well as the Adam Thoroughgood Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Evelyn was active in each chapter as Treasurer for many years. She also spearheaded projects for veterans and active duty soldiers and their families. The DAR and DAC friends that she made were very dear to her. As time went on, her debilitating arthritis made it difficult for her to participate, but her “sisters” would often visit and keep her involved.

Evelyn was one of those rare people who genuinely cared about everyone she met. Every hospital or rehab stay was an opportunity for Evelyn to make friends. She would always insist on leaving parting gifts for the staff and their families. Recurring hospital stays often meant a chance to reconnect with her favorite nurses and doctors. The family will always remember the kindness shown to Evelyn by her many caregivers.

In addition to her husband, Thomas Richard Terry, Sr., Evelyn is survived by her children; daughter, Grace Lynne Dawson (Mark), Thomas Richard Terry, Jr. (Patti), and Mitchell Taylor Terry, Sr. (Trish). She is also survived by her brother, George Dallas Williams, Jr. (Pam), twelve grandchildren along with their spouses, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Seaside at Atlantic Shores and the staff of Westminster Canterbury Hospice for making Evelyn's final days as comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Evelyn’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, or King’s Daughters Children’s Hospital.

The service will be held in the chapel of the Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home followed by interment at Rosewood Memorial Park.

All are invited to a reception at the home of Mitchell and Trish Terry, 2928 Bray Road, Virginia Beach

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kellumfuneralhome.com for the Terry family.