Cornelia Terry

Cornelia Smith Terry VIRGINIA BEACH - Cornelia "Connie" Terry slipped peacefully away with her family at her side Dec. 9, 2008. Born Jan. 7, 1922, Connie was a lifelong resident of Princess Anne County and Virginia Beach and spent the last three years in Charlottesville, Va. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Baxter Smith and Edwin James Smith, former Commonwealth's Attorney for Princess Anne County and former member of the House of Delegates, and by her elder sister, Helen Wise. Mrs. Terry was a communicant at Galilee Episcopal Church her entire life where she was a longtime member of the choir and active in church matters. Connie attended the Princess Anne County Public Schools and went on to Randolph Macon Women's College. She graduated from The College of William and Mary and received her master's degree in English from the University of Virginia. A professional educator, Mrs. Terry taught in the Virginia Beach public school system for more than 30 years, finishing her career teaching second grade at Linkhorn Park Elementary School. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the Confederacy. She is survived by her younger sister, Margaret Love Gumb; her three children, Matson C. Terry II of Fleeton, Va., Emily T. Maughan of Reading, Mass., and Edwina T. Forch of Charlottesville and their spouses; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Blessed with a wry sense of humor, Connie loved her books, garden, cats and children, although not necessarily in that order. A private service will be held at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church with a memorial service to be held in May of 2009. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the University of Virginia which Connie loved so well or to the hospice of your area. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hdoliver.com.