Nina Diana Terrell

Nina Laverne Diana Terrell, 85, of Rockport, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, due to complications from cancer.

Born on October 10, 1940, in Covington, Kentucky, Nina was the third of seven children born to Virgil and Laverne (King) Diana.

Nina married the love of her life, Don Terrell, after a whirlwind romance that began with an elopement to Las Vegas just one week after they met. Together, they built a remarkable life full of love, laughter, and adventure. With just $100 in their pockets, they began their journey in Hawaii and went on to travel the country many times over—living a wonderfully nomadic life in more than fifty homes across Hawaii, California, Ohio, Kentucky, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Texas.

Nina loved being a wife and mother more than anything. She was a voracious reader, a great listener, and someone whose calm presence made others feel heard and valued. Though she wasn’t an equestrian herself, she found great joy in being around horses. One of her true pleasures was grooming the horses her family showed over the years—and even more so, traveling with Don and his two best friends as they competed in team ropings across the country. She took special pride in making sure those horses always looked their absolute best; more often than not, they were the sharpest-looking horses in the arena thanks to her loving care and attention to detail.

Nina often claimed that she didn’t really like people—but the truth was, people always seemed to like her. Her quirky wit, honest nature, and ever present kindness drew others in, even when she pretended to keep her distance.

Nina is survived by her daughter, Summer Terrell; her son, Shannon Terrell, and his wife, Robbie; and two granddaughters, Sabrina Terrell Loreti and Monica Terrell. She is also survived by her sisters, Gayle and Sharon, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who loved her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don; her brothers Tony and Richard; and her sister, Nancy.

Nina’s life was filled with love, curiosity, laughter, and adventure. She had a beautiful spirit that touched everyone she met, and she will be missed beyond words