Herbert Terry, Jr.
08/23/1947 - 11/02/2019
Today we celebrate the loving memory and legacy of Mr. Herbert Terry, Jr., a husband, a father, grandfather, son, brother, friend and colleague who was born on August 23, 1947, in Terry Mississippi, to the late Katie Mae Hart Terry Green and Herbert Terry, Sr. Herbert Terry, Jr. and Galey Martin were married in a small ceremony surrounded by immediate family and a few friends in the middle of the living room at Galey’s mom’s, the late Ruth Bell Martin’s house on June 9, 1973. Galey Martin (Bradfield) had two small children from a previous marriage; age 6, Trina Bradfield (Smith) and age 5, Eric Bradfield. Herbert had a son, Abraham Gibson, age 4 and after 12 years of marriage in 1985, Herbert and Galey brought in to their union a son, Marcus Terry. Herbert grew up in a large family in Terry, MS with 9 siblings; 7 brothers and 2 sisters. He and his family gathered regularly, typically on Sundays at their parents’ house. Those times with his family were filled with laughter, lots of games in the front yard and there was plenty of food. I can only imagine what Herbert’s life was like growing up as a kid, especially when you saw him as an adult still wanting to go back home as often as possible to spend time with his family. Herbert LOVED his parents and would spend countless hours talking to his mom EVERYDAY. He spent most of the time during the calls just saying, “yes ma’am” because his mom was a talker and she enjoyed talking to her children. Herbert didn’t complete middle school, choosing instead at a very early age to go to work to help his family. His hard working attitude would continue into his adulthood. After Herbert and Galey were married in 1973, they purchased their first home. With the help of his next door neighbor, Mr. Walker, Herbert was able to get a job at Armstrong World Industries around the age of 32 where he worked until he retired at the age of 62. During his years at Armstrong, he would arrive to work at least 15 minutes early to get his machine prepped and ready for the day. He was usually the first person his supervisor called to come in to work overtime because he knew he could count on Herbert. Herbert never missed an opportunity to work overtime because he would talk your EARS OFF about the amount of overtime he was working and the money he was making. Most people couldn’t hold a candle to his work ethics. Herbert and Galey were both retired after 29 and 30 years of service in the workforce. They spent their time in the garden, fixing up their home, occasionally visiting family and some days doing absolutely nothing. Herbert Terry, Jr. was a humble man who never liked being the center of attention and he wouldn’t have wanted it today. Herbert Terry, Jr. passed away at home on Saturday, November 2, 2019, His passing is 10 years to the anniversary date of his beloved mother, Katie Mae Green, and exactly six months after the passing of his best friend/brother, Albert Terry, Sr. Herbert was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters; Patsy Ruth Minor and Ruby Lee McGee and his brother, Albert Terry, Sr. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Galey Terry, two sons Abraham Gibson (Tina), Marcus Terry (Andrea), step-daughter Trina Bradfield-Smith, step-son Eric Bradfield (Pilar), 10 grandchildren; Jaylan and Mia (parents Abraham & Tina), Micah and Avery (parents Marcus and Andrea), Derric and Danielle (parents Eric and Pilar), Julian and Justin (parents Trina and Ron), 6 brothers; Charles Terry (Willie B), Steven Terry (Shelia), Frank (Mable), James Terry, Earmon Green (Shenita) and Vernon Green (Jackie) and one sister; Sarah Green and lots of nieces, nephews and cousins. We all live on borrowed time and sometimes, we forget that we’re not on this earth for a lifetime. Those whom we love will come and go, sometimes unexpectedly. Herbert Terry, Jr. will always be remembered by those of us who knew and loved him.