Joe Louis Terrell

1939 - 2014

Joe Louis Terrell

Kansas City, MO

Joe Terrell passed away on June 12, 2014 at his home in Kansas City, MO. He was 74 years old

Funeral services and burial will be held in Raymond, MS on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 2 p.m., at Springhill Christian Center in Raymond, MS, Rev. M. J. Williams presiding. A viewing will be on Saturday, June 21, 2014 from 9a.m. until 5p.m. for the general public at Westhaven Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation to the scholarship fund of Kansas City Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation, P.O. Box 410252, Kansas City, MO 64141, or in Joe's name to a charity of your choice.

Joe Terrell was born in Raymond, Mississippi on June 29, 1939 to Rosie and Albert Terrell. At a young age he and his family moved to Jackson, MS, where he attended and graduated from Jim Hill High School. While in high school, he began designing model cars for a national competition sponsored by General Motors. With only a saw, wood rasp and glue, he managed to come up with designs that won third, second and first place respectively for three consecutive years. In recognition of this achievement, the Mayor declared "Joe Terrell Day" in Jackson, MS, the first time that honor was bestowed on an African-American.

After graduating from high school, Joe attended Tougaloo Southern Christian College, where he majored in engineering. While at Tougaloo, he became a member of Gamma Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in 1958. He later transferred to the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. There he became active with Mu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. Two years later, he was inducted into the Army. Once he finished his military obligation, he began working for Ford Motor Company in Kansas City. He also became active with the Kansas City Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and served as advisor for Mu Chapter from 1966 - 1984. He later accepted a position in St. Louis, MO working for another automotive provider, BASF. He moved back to Kansas City in 2002 and continued his affiliation with the Kansas City Alumni. During his more than 55 years in Kappa, Joe was also actively involved at the national level and with the Middle Western Province of Kappa Alpha Psi.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosie McNeil; father, Albert Terrell; and brother, John Terrell, who was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi.

He is survived by his sons, Steve Williams and Darius Terrell; brother, Bob Terrell; uncle, Earnest Kelly; niece, Kelley Carson; brother-in-law, Ronald Griggs, Sr.; special friend and fraternity brother Kenneth Topp (Debbie); seven grandchildren and a host of relatives, friends and Kappa brothers.