Mother Mary Elizabeth (Morris) Terry, 85, was born on April 14, 1939, in Greenville, North Carolina to the late Enid and Norvie (Monk) Morris. She was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at Yale New Haven Hospital. Mother Terry married the late Charles Terry and was blessed with three daughters and three sons.
As a devoted and founding member of New Beginning Miracle Temple Church of God, she faithfully served over 35 years as a Sunday school teacher, in the Noonday Prayer Meeting, and as Overseer of the Usher Board. Her community was blessed by her selfless work in the soup kitchen and distributing food to feed the homeless and the less fortunate. Mother Terry was a prayer warrior who regularly participated in prayer walks, interceding for many in the community. Even in her last days, she remained committed to praying and ministering to all who had the privilege of being in her presence. She was indeed an anointed woman of God. Her favorite saying was “You better get it together, because Jesus is on His way!”
During her earlier years, she attended New Haven Public Schools and worked as a nurse aide at the Hannah Gray Home. Mother Terry had a deep love for the Lord and enjoyed attending church, noonday prayer, and watching Jimmy Swigart’s gospel program. She also found joy in doing crossword puzzles and singing old church hymns.
Mother Terry leaves to cherish in her memories one daughter, Glynis Terry of New Haven, Conn.; two sons, Melvin Morris of Concord, N.C. and Kevin Terry of New Haven, Conn.; two brothers, Donald (Dee Dee) Morris and Tony Morris of New Haven, Conn.; one sister, Linda Spraglin of California; 32 grandchildren, 79 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and relatives.
She was preceded by her mother and father, Enid and Norvie Morris; two daughters, Debra Williams and Bari Terry; one son, Ricky Terry; two daughter-in-laws, Shelby Terry and Diane Morris; three brothers, Jeese and Kenny Morris and Alan Holloway; three sisters, Nettie Morris, Annie Carlton, and Minnie Cabiness.
Mother Terry was not only the matriarch but also the prayer warrior, and a spiritual counselor too many. She loved God, her Pastor and her family, and her memory will be deeply cherished.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Wayfaring Ministries, 29 Marne St. Rear, Hamden, CT 06514. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Terry family, please visit www.hkhfuneralservices.com