Terry Jones Steele's Obituary
Terry Gail Jones Steele was born September 10, 1950 in Marshall, TX and passed away peacefully holding her son’s hand at the age of 73 years.
She was the daughter of Doyle and Frances Jones who both preceded her in death. Terry attended Harleton schools from first grade until she graduated in 1969. She was an excellent student and enjoyed many extra-curricular activities including playing basketball, head cheerleader, and Miss HHS for Harleton High School. After high school she earned her bachelor of Science in Education and Physical Education from East Texas Baptist College and then moved to Nacogdoches to complete her Masters in Education at Stephen F. Austin University.
Terry was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who spent most of her time fulfilling those roles. Terry and Ava Steele Porter were roommates at SFA during their master’s program. Not long after going for a weekend visit to Longview with Ava, Terry married her brother, Jimmie Don Steele who preceded her in death, but they enjoyed forty-nine years and ten months of marriage before his death earlier this year. Terry and Jimmie Don had one son, Aaron Steele who has blessed them with their only grandkids – Ryder and Rylee. Terry was so proud of Aaron, his wife Tracy and the grandkids and often drove to Tyler to watch them in their sporting events even long after she was battling cancer.
Terry was a dedicated teacher who began her career teaching History and Physical Education. However, most of her teaching years were at Hallsville Middle School in the language arts department, and later as reading specialist where she worked with children with reading disabilities.
Terry was a long-time member of the Morton Baptist Church in Diana, TX, serving as pianist from the time she was twelve years old until after she was married.
Terry was preceded in death by her parents Doyle and Frances Jones and loving husband, Jimmie Don Steele. She is survived by son Aaron Steele (Tracy), grandchildren Ryder and Rylee Steele, sister Vicky Jones Stanfield of Morton Community, sisters-in-law Ava Steele Porter (Alan), Cynthia Ann Steele Gragg (Jim), Martha Sue Steele Smith (Randy), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family visitation will be held from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Rader Funeral home, 1617 Judson Road, Longview, TX on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The funeral service will be on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Morton Baptist Church, 22177 State Highway 154, Diana, TX
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