Amy “Elizabeth” Terrell
Marriages
Keith Terrell - February 5, 1944
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 6B - March 19, 2023
Our devoted mother,
Amy “Elizabeth” Terrell,
passed away peacefully
in her home Tuesday
morning, February 28,
2023. In her final days, she was surrounded by her
loving family with whom she had celebrated her 99th
birthday days earlier.
Elizabeth, the first born of Frances (Pearson) and
Deyoe Green, arrived on February 16, 1924, in Rifle,
Colorado. She grew up on Rifle Creek and graduated
from Rifle Union High School as valedictorian in 1942.
Elizabeth went on to attend Western State College in
Gunnison, Colorado where she was an active member
of the Pi Kappa Sigma sorority.
During a school break on a train trip to visit a
classmate in Denver, she met a handsome, charismatic
young man who she said, “pursued her relentlessly”
until he−Keith Terrell (our father) “won her over”.
They married on February 5, 1944, in Silt, Colorado.
Here they worked together tearing down old buildings
to “reclaim” materials which they used to build the
comfortable home in which they raised their 5 children.
Later, they spent summers at the “family cabin” west
of Mack building their sanctuary-retirement home...
again using reclaimed materials but with no electricity,
no running water (except the ditch), living off the grid
before it was an “IN” thing. Elizabeth always said that
her favorite job was being a mother and these times
brought her the happiest memories.
All the while, Elizabeth stayed fully engaged in civic
organizations including PTA, Home Extension, 4-H
Leadership and Congregational Church Ladies Aid.
Adding to her busy life, she found employment with
Garfield RE-2 School District, first in the lunchroom,
then Teachers” Aide, next Title Reading Aide, finally
retiring as Lunchroom Manager at Roy Moore
Elementary School. Soon after retirement, she moved
to Grand Junction, created another welcoming home
with a beautiful yard growing roses and raspberries as
her specialty. Never one to relax, she resumed church
activities, continued her miles-a-day walks, joined
Newcomers plus a bridge club and a bowling league.
At 99 years of age, Elizabeth remained independent−
in her home−able to manage her own affairs with the
assistance of her family, Nightingale’s caregivers,
daily visits and lunches from Meals on Wheels and the
wonderful medical care and support provided by her
Hopewest Hospice team. Although a widow at the age
of 50, she PERSEVERED, she EXCELLED and SHE
LOVED TO DANCE.
Elizabeth is preceded in death by her husband, Keith
Terrell; parents, Frances and Deyoe Green; brothers,
“Dick” Green and Vern Green; and sister, Velma
Caveny.
Survivors include: sister, Lillian Hill; sisters-in-law,
Iola Majors and Lora Green; brother-in-law, Vern
Terrell; her children, “Sonny” (Reva) Terrell, Lee-ann
(Mike) Short, David (Vera) Terrell, Judy (Ed) Harrison,
and Gail (Pete) Jansons. She loved and was loved by ten
grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, one great-
great granddaughter, as well as many nieces, nephews,
cousins, other relatives, and numerous friends.
As Elizabeth wished, there will be a friend and family
gathering this summer at the Rifle Park Community
House.
In her memory, donations can be made to HopeWest
Hospice at www.hopewestco.org or another charity of
your choice.
