Sonja Glass Terrell

Sonja’s parents had lived thru some of the most difficult and turbulent times in the first half of the Twentieth century. As a result, they instilled in Sonja to appreciate and enjoy life with family. Both of her parents worked to provide a simple living for the family. They enjoyed annual summer get togethers of the extended family at the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This is where Sonja developed a love for the sound of the waves, walking on the beach, and picking up shells.

Sonja met Ray Terrell while in high school, they fell in love and were married on March 15, 1958. They welcomed a daughter, Teresa in April of 1959, the first of three children including Ray Jr. and Celeste. Ray worked in the oilfield in South Louisiana, and they moved to Buras, 50 miles South of New Orleans (they called it “the end of the world”). Ray had two traumatic accidents in the 1970’s from which both resulted in serious head injuries. As with any family, dealing with the injuries was truly life changing for Sonja and the family. They were later transferred to Houma and Lafayette. Ray and Sonja were well known for their generosity and kindness shown to others. Despite the many adversities in life, Sonja loved to laugh and always had a posse of friends to do this with, no matter where she lived. Ray retired from Shell and they moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama in 1992. Sonja was finally able to walk on the beach every day.

Sonja had a spiritual interest as well. Sonja along with her grandmother, mother and sister had questions about life and God that were unanswered with their previous religion. They studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and found the satisfying answers. Sonja was baptized on April 10, 1965, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Sonja loved the ministry and sharing with others what she had learned from the Bible. Today, she even has many of her great grandchildren following in her spiritual footsteps as a 6th generation.

Sonja was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a terrible combination of Parkinson’s and dementia. With her faith and family supporting her, she fought this painful disease valiantly for several years despite only being given 6 months to live at her time of diagnosis. She had great faith in the resurrection promise in the Bible and we all look forward to its fulfillment.

Sonja died on Friday May 24, 2024. She will be missed deeply by her family and all that knew her.

Sonja was preceded in death by her parents Sidney and Vivian Glass, husband of 63 years Ray Terrell Sr. and a grandson Cameron Brown.

Sonja is survived by her sister Christine Erickson, her children Teresa Brown, Ray Terrell Jr., and Celeste Terrell. Grandchildren Eric Terrell, Raye Ann Hernandez, Miranda Cox and Garrett Brown. Great Grandchildren Bailee, Diego, Fulton, Carrie Ann, and Ruby Rae.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 701 FM 646 Rd in Dickinson, Texas.

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