Linda O. Terry

Linda Oakes Terry, 82, of Staunton, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

Linda was a beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, missionary, advocate, and woman of great faith. Linda spread God’s love and kindness throughout her daily life.

Linda was born in Mexia, Texas, on February 5, 1942.  She spent her formative years in Fairfield, TX, where she met Murphy, whose older brother was her pastor. From 1970 until 1992 Linda and her family served as missionaries under the Foreign Mission Board (SBC) in Laos, Thailand, Sri Lanka, New Orleans, LA, Richmond, VA, and Switzerland. She later served as a social worker with at-risk infants and as the administrative assistant for missions for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. She developed mission curricula for “Girls in Action” (WMU) and planned and recruited for short-term mission projects in Latin America and Eastern Europe. Throughout her life of service, she loved music and served as a church pianist and accompanist for multiple congregations. Upon retirement, Linda was proprietor of stores in Louisa, VA and Staunton, VA, featuring products and crafts from Ten Thousand Villages and from cottage industries in developing nations.

Linda was preceded in death by her siblings, Nelda Jo Oakes and William Oakes; her daughter-in-law, Cindy Terry; her son, Lindsey Scott Terry; and her grandson, Hector Garcia.

Linda is survived by her husband, Jerold Murphy Terry, Sr. of Staunton, VA; her son, Jerold M. Terry, Jr. (Alma) of Buda, TX; her son, Bill (Janey) of Staunton, VA; her grandchildren, Diana, Jessica, Kasie, Lindsay, Joel, Tucker, and Hayden; her great-grandchildren, Olivia, Noah, Hannah, Dylan, and Parker; and her missionary family throughout the world.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at First Baptist Church (406 West Frederick Street) in Staunton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. The service will also be live-streamed on Facebook Live (First Baptist Church, Staunton). There will be a reception at the church following the service.

Memorial donations may be given to the Staunton Augusta Rescue Squad (1601 North Coalter Street, Staunton, VA 24401)  and/or Love, Inc. (PO Box 1003 Fishersville, Virginia 22939).