Rev. Charles Curtis Terry's Obituary
Born on January 15, 1932, Charles Curtis Terry was another gift from God to his parents, Mr. Paul Terry, Sr. and Mrs. Elvira Thomas Terry, in Learned, MS. He and his brothers and sisters were loved and nurtured in a home where the Word of God was read, taught, and revered. He and his family were members of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Learned, MS.
Charles attended Burleigh Hamilton Elementary School and graduated with honors from Utica Normal Industrial Institute. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and served on military posts throughout the country and in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. During his years in the Army, he received the following honors: The Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device, Drivers & Mechanical Badge, and Expert Badge with Rifle Bar. After 21 years of service, Sargent First Class Terry retired from the army in 1974.
Lawton, Oklahoma became his home for eight years. Continuing his commitment to Christ, he became an active member of Highland Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent from 1976-1980. He enrolled in Cameron University in Lawton and acquired 103 hours in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology, with minor course work in Criminal Justice. A major medical crisis thwarted his completion. He returned to his hometown in 1983 to help in the care of his aging parents and reunited with his home church, Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
According to his now deceased brother, Cornelius, Charles had been preaching since the age of six, with his first sermon being held in the cotton fields while his brothers listened. In keeping with his childhood rearing and practices, he remained faithful to learning and trying to live by the Word of God. In 1984 he was ordained as a deacon at Oak Grove, and in 1987, he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel under the auspices of the late Reverend R. L. T. Smith, then pastor at Oak Grove. He served as Assistant Pastor from 1987 to 1993 and was named Interim Pastor in 1993. After the demise of Reverend Smith, Reverend Terry was elected and installed as Pastor of Oak Grove in 1994. At Oak Grove, Pastor Terry served as a religious counselor, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, marriage counselor, and mentor to aspiring ministers. He received many honors for his support of various religious organizations and community services. Pastor Terry retired from Oak Grove in March of 2023. Known as a servant-leader, he served as Vice-President and subsequent President of the Hinds and Adjoining Counties Sunday School Convention for a period spanning 29 years, recording secretary for the Hinds County Baptist Association and Auxiliaries for over 20 years, Assistant Superintendent of the First Baptist Union of Hinds County, Board Member of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of MS, and Chaplain of the Utica Jr. College and A. H. S. National Alumni Association.
A blind date, initiated by his cousin's wife in 1987 led to a first date and subsequent marriage in 1991 to Greta, and to the precious gift of two beautiful daughters, Ruthie and Maya. Their family grew over the years, as did his love and commitment to each family member. He was a wonderful husband who demonstrated his love each day in many ways. One of his wife's favorites was that she never had to cook while she was working and never had to put gas in her car! Doting on his daughters was a no-brainer; he never turning down a request, from buying a new oboe reed and taking it to Callaway High School to feeding Tougaloo classmates who loved to see 'Mr. Terry' come on campus with a box packed with home-cooked deliciousness. Eventually, 'Papa' spoiled his grandsons by watching countless hours of "The Lion King" with an immediate rewind to the beginning whenever the credits rolled and making countless runs to Subway for personal pizzas in the middle of the school day that he lovingly took to Murrah during lunch period. He eagerly awaited the arrival of their Philly family, excited to hear the two grandsons and granddaughter report on each of their wins on the ice at the hockey rink. What a joy it was when his two great grands came running in the house saying, "Hey Papa" while giving him a big hug. A loving and lasting relationship was forged between Charles and both his son-in-law and granddaughter-love.
Charles was a loving and devoted brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, always supportive of his siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was one they could go to for advice and scriptural nuggets that he loved to share. Encouraging them, believing in them, and loving on them was a fulfilling moment with each!
Those who preceded him in death are his parents, Paul Terry, Sr. and Elvira Thomas Terry; eight siblings: Lucille Terry Brown, Lawrence Terry, Paul Terry, Jr., Cornelious Terry, Mark Hannah Terry, Clemetine Terry Thomas, Grady Terry, and Vera Thomas.
Having fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, Reverend Charles Curtis Terry went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 25, 2025, while in hospice care at the G. V. Sonny Montgomery Community Living Center. He will be missed, forever loved, and remembered for his selfless love for God, his family, church family and friends. Those who will remember him with love and fond memories are his wife, Greta Terry, Jackson, MS; daughters, Ruthie Sayles, Jackson, MS, and Maya (Rev. Darrian A., Sr.) Brown, Philadelphia, PA; grandchildren: Rashad (Jessica) Sayles, Ryan Sayles, Jackson, MS; Darrian A. Brown, Jr., Dylan Brown, and Maci Brown, Philadelphia, PA, great grandchildren, Jaxon and Raina Sayles; Jackson, MS; sisters, Murlene Terry Taylor, Jackson, MS, Florence Pullens, St. Louis, MO, and Emma (Alfred) Terry, Jackson, MS; brothers, James (Nettie) Terry, Raymond, MS; Herbert (Dorothy) Terry; brothers-in-law: David Peyton, Yazoo City, MS and Edricke (Kara) Peyton, South Haven, MS; sisters-in-law: Alva Peyton Taylor, Jackson, MS, Pearl Wales Peyton, Canton, MS, Aldena Peyton (Timmie) Jones, Ruby Terry, Jackson, MS; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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