Mary was born in Esmont, Virginia to the late Rebecca and General Washington Jordan on December 17, 1929.  She was the fourth born of twelve siblings, seven who have preceded her in death. (Martha, Herman, Churchill, Bristol, Monroe, Stan and James.)

Mary was educated in the Esmont Virginia Public School System and received her High School Diploma.  She went on to pursue her higher education at West Virginia College, (then) completing three years but had to withdraw because of illness.  But twenty-five years later, God blessed her to enroll in Hampton Institute (then) and to complete her Education Major graduating in May 1982, with honors at age fifty-two! By doing so, she became an inspiration to many youth and to older citizens to pursue their goals for higher education even if at a later age in life.

She was employed for twenty years in the Newport News Virginia Education System instructing elementary age students before retiring in her seventies.  Her last years were spent as a permanent site-based Substitute Teacher at Carver Elementary.

Often many of her former students would often see her in the stores and stop to thank her for giving them a good foundation and helping them along the academic path, and sometimes with a little extra discipline.

Mary was also an icon in the Marshall Courts community.  She always stopped to converse with her neighbors, both elderly citizens and youth.  She believed that the way to gain respect among your neighbors was to first be friendly and respectful.

Mother Evans Terrell was saved and baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ in 1956 under the ministry of the late Elder Ethel M. Smith at the Morning Star Apostolic Holiness Church.  A few years later she, her husband Carl, daughter Jackie and the late Sister Georgia Coppedge joined the fellowship of the late Mother Sue I. Edwards of Richmond Virginia.  This was a Sabbath observing Pentecostal organization.  It wasn't long before God had established a local Pentecostal Sabbath observing church (Garden of Prayer Apostolic Church) in Newport News with the assistance of Mary and Carl Evans to which Sister Coppedge became the pastor.  God blessed this ministry and many souls were added.

Mother Terrell was an anointed bible teacher.  God had gifted her with wisdom to study and explain the scriptures on various levels to all who were interested in learning.  One of her greatest desires was that individuals would develop a genuine love and hunger for the Word of God just as God had bestowed upon her.

Mother Terrell was very active in the church serving as one of the advisors, bible teachers and by participating in bible study, prayer and regular service until her debilitating health.  Even towards her last months she was known to encourage those who came to visit or to minister to her health needs.  One of the younger saints recently told her, " Mother Terrell, you are still teaching us!" she diligently served God until the end of her eighty-eight years. (88)

Mary had a special love for family and friends.  She would not miss an opportunity to attend reunions and other family oriented functions.  She would often send notes and cards to many as a form of encouragement.  She thought that it was important that people knew that you were thinking of them.  Corresponding by writing was one of her many joys in life.

Some of her memorable words were taken from an older song:
There's a bright side somewhere, there's a bright side somewhere, don't you rest until you find it,                               there's  a bright side...somewhere!

She will also be remembered for saying:
"This doesn't make any sense!" OR  "And you got that right!"

Mary Evans Terrell was predeceased by her first husband Carl Evans and by her second husband Emmett Terrell, and her stepson, Dwight Odum.

She leaves to cherish her life in sweet memory, her two loving children, daughter, Jacquelyn Carol of Newport News, VA and her son, Phillip Ira of New Haven, CT (Minnie) and one step-daughter, Joyce Hutch of Memphis, TN.  She leaves four siblings, Dorothy, Charles, Silas and Patricia.  She leaves five grandchildren, Phillip, Marquis, Daijah, Shawn and Shadae and three step-grandchildren, Dwight Jr., Steven and Christina.  She also leaves twelve great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Church of Jesus, Hampton.  Viewing will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.  Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.