Terry Twisdale

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Big Ted, a husband, father, grandfather, and lifelong cattle rancher, who peacefully left this world on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Baptist Hospital Memphis at the age of 68. 

Born on the flat land of Gainsville, TN, the family's baby boy, Terry was surrounded by the beauty of nature and the unbreakable rhythms of ranch life. Ted never needed to travel; he was happy where God put him. He inherited a love for the land and its creatures, a legacy he proudly passed on to his three sons: Terry Lyle “Bubba” Twisdale, Jr. (Courtney), George “Robert” Twisdale (named after Ted’s Daddy), and David Twisdale. But even more so, Terry loved music!!!! He played the drums in a band with his brother Ronnie. He had enough of traveling with that band, so he never needed it again. Playing music and traveling is how he met Doris in Vicksburg, Ms. They lived there with family until Robert was born and then moved back to TN. Terry worked for Dennis Electric for 29 years until he retired. He wired casinos, hotels, Methodist hospitals, skyscrapers, and more! Terry taught the boys how to do everything also. He taught the first two, but Doris never put David down much to let Ted get his hands on him. It was a home where life lessons were learned, memories were made, and countless family meals were shared under the stars.

Terry was not just a cattle rancher; he was a storyteller, and you always knew it was him talking because he called everyone “my Man” and would finish every sentence with “right There.” Also, he loved his phone calls and didn't like getting off the phone. He would ask his boys, “Well, what else is goin’ on?” One thing all the folks who worked with him knew, “When you come on the job, you better have the tools.” If he did not have a nickname for you, something was wrong. He had a name for everyone, and it seemed everyone had one for him. Terry was a devoted friend, next to never an enemy, but if he was, you better look out; he loved his boys even though he used everything he could get his hands on to whoop the boys when they were terrible. He loved his nieces, nephews, and grandkids and loved being a “granddaddy” and a man of unwavering faith. He had a knack for turning the simplest moments—like mending a fence, riding the field, or watching a calf take its first steps—into profound life lessons with few words and his slow, quiet actions.

Beyond the hay field, Terry was well-known in his community, always the first to lend a hand or a kind word. He was a steadfast friend to all who knew him, especially his cow buddies and those fellas he sat and gossiped with at Fastimes. His little ways he would greet you when he would see you, his little shuffle he had, the way he sang happy birthday to everyone, the fact that he seemed so gruff but was soft as a teddy bear, the way he never changed, what you saw was what you got, he was not going to put on airs for anyone. His everyday actions will be missed more than words can express.

Of all his roles, the one he cherished most was being "Granddaddy" to his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Whether teaching them how to work in the hay field, picking up sticks before cutting the grass, or riding them around on the tractor or in the back of the truck, his love for them knew no bounds. The grandkids are Drew (Kali), Hanna, Hunter (Virginia), Calleigh, Connor, Caitlyn Grace, Ty, and Drake. The great-grandkids are Bryce and Blakely.

Terry is survived by his Companion, Kimberly Kemphart, his trusted love, friend, and cowhand; Kimberly’s mother, Phyllis Kaufman; his boys, Bubba (Courtney) Twisdale, David Twisdale and Robert Twisdale; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brothers, Ronnie (Robin) Twisdale and Harold "Poochie" (Ruth) Twisdale; his sister, Melinda (Dennis) Hartsfield; and countless friends and family blessed to know him. He is now reunited with his mom, Alma; his dad, George; his brother, Frog; and his wife, Doris, who passed in 2019.

Services to honor Terry will be a visitation held on Dec. 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30 at Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Gainsville, TN, just a little piece down from his house. A celebration of life will follow at the same church on Dec. 6th at 11:00am. You all come just as you are; that is how he would have wanted it. Interment will follow in Robinson Cemetery.

Though we will no longer see his truck poking by or have to worry about getting behind him, trust in the fact that the fields are not quiet; Terry’s love and legacy live on in the cows, the hay bailer, the drums, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, the strength of his sons, and the enduring love of his family and Kimberly. Rest easy, cowboy—you’ll always be in our hearts.