Johnnie Lou Thompson Terry

1932 - 2025

Johnnie Lou Thompson Terry

September 24, 1932 - October 20, 2025

Johnnie Lou Thompson Terry died on October 20, 2025, at age 93. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Charles Morris Terry, Jr.; and a sister, Constance Thompson Peebles. She is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Constance Terry Buehler (Bill) and Laura Terry Sellers (Randy); and a sister, Carol Thompson Wingo. She was the proud "Gam" to Constance Campbell Vest (Paul), Laura Claiborne Hamilton (Matt), Brooke Hampton Land (Wilson), Scott Randolph Sellers and Charles Thompson Sellers; and to four adored great-grandchildren, Carter, Thomas, Clay and Eliza.

Johnnie Lou was born in Hot Springs, Virginia, on September 24, 1932, to Constance Cleek Thompson and John Lee Thompson. Following her father's early death, the family moved to her grandparent's farm where she grew up in a loving home and delighted in helping "Papa" on the farm. She forever loved the mountains, valleys and springs of Bath County.

After graduating from Valley High School, she attended Madison College (James Madison University), where she played basketball and hockey. She also served as president of Student Government and was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, a leadership and scholarship fraternity. At her 50th reunion, she celebrated a long-held dream to help establish an interfaith chapel at JMU, which still welcomes all today.

Following college, she settled in Richmond and taught and coached for several years before dedicating her considerable energy and talents to the community. She served as President of the Junior League, where she received the Barbara Ransome Andrews Award for outstanding service, as well as on the board of First Virginia Bank (now Truist).

Over many decades, two organizations especially held her mind and heart- Sheltering Arms Hospital and St. James's Episcopal Church. At Sheltering Arms, she served as President of the Board of Managers and Head of Patient Representatives. She also organized the development of Sheltering Arms' chaplaincy program and helped found the interfaith chapel. For her decades-long service, she was honored to receive the Volunteer Impact Award from the Central Virginia AFP in 2022. At St. James's, she was a choir member, lay Eucharistic minister, and the church's first female senior warden. She was also President of Region X and delegate to annual council for 20 years. The scripture above the altar at St James's, "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only" inspired the way she lived her life.

Beyond her community work, Johnnie Lou was an enthusiastic sports fan--everyone knew when she was in the stands or on the sidelines! She cheered for school teams, college teams, pro teams, and any person trying their best. A veritable "force of nature," she was principled and fearless in speaking up to improve her world. She had the courage of her convictions, able and willing to lead with her many talents and full devotion. Above all, she was a person of deep faith and abiding love-for her family, extended family, and "like family" friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Westminster Canterbury on Friday, November 14, at 2 p.m. This follows a private family interment in Hollywood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions might be made to St. James's Episcopal Church, Sheltering Arms Foundation, or in the spirit of Johnnie Lou, a cause about which you care. The family wishes to thank family, friends, and staff at Westminster Canterbury for their care and support.