Melba Terry

Melba Fern Kirk Terry Sammie" April 17, 1928 -July 5, 2023 Our sweet and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Sammie Terry, 95, passed away July 5, 2023 in the St. George Regional Hospital. Sammie was born April 17, 1928, to James Lisle and Lilly Fern Kirk in American Falls, Idaho. The family moved to Utah shortly after her birth and she attended schools in Pleasant Grove and American Fork, Utah. Sammie attended Am. Fork High School, where she met LaGrande Terry, the bass drummer in the infamous AF Marching Band. They graduated in 1946. Sammie attended LDS Business College and worked as a secretary in Salt Lake City. LaGrande and Sammie were married in Elko, Nevada on September 9, 1948, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple in 1963. They made their home in American Fork, where LaGrande worked for Texaco, owning his own Texaco gas station. Sammie worked as his secretary throughout his career. In 1964 LaGrande became a Texaco Distributor and they moved their family to Richfield, Utah. Dad's distributorship grew into Terry Oil Company.

Sammie and LaGrande raised 5 very active children. Mom divided her time between kids' piano, dance, and swimming lessons, and every sport available, including baseball, football, basketball, golf, cheer and drill team, never missing a performance or game. All the time keeping up with Dad's accounting at Terry Oil. She also made the best apple pie in Sevier County.

Sammie held various church positions including teacher, librarian, Relief Society activities coordinator, and compassionate service leader. She always had a batch of cookies ready for anyone in need. Her motto was ''If you are feeling sorry for yourself, do something for someone else." She was an active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Mom and Dad had a very close group of friends, enjoying many nights of bridge and dinner club. When most of the kids were raised, mom took up painting. She became an expert in water colors and won many awards and blue ribbons for some of her beautiful southwest paintings. She was a important participant in the Sevier Valley Arts Guild and museum.

Sammie and LaGrande served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Ventura, California from 1993-1994. Following their return, they served as guides at the Cove Fort Visitors Center. Sammie served as an ordinance worker and hostess at the St. George Temple. She became an expert at indexing church records on the computer and was actively doing this until her passing.

Following LaGrande's passing in 2008, Sammie moved to St. George to be closer to family. For the past 5 years she lived at the Meadows Assisted Living Center, where she made many new friends. She looked forward to the daily activities, playing bridge and bingo. We wish to thank the wonderful staff at the Meadows for their continued love and care.

Sammie is survived by her children, Susan (Laurie) Maxfield, Sandy (Ron) Mortensen, Jim (Laurie) Terry, Kirk (Dixie) Terry, David (Pam) Terry, 15 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, LaGrande Terry, her father and mother, and infant brother, Kendall.

The services for Sammie Terry will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Anderson's Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork, Utah. A viewing will be held from 11:45-12:45 AM at the mortuary prior to the services.

Please click on the link below to watch Sammie's services via live stream:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88496545394?pwd=c2hWMFA2Qk4rSUp4ZXJ5eWRkOVZ3QT09