Jean White Terrell

Jean White Terrell, age 88, of Columbus, MS, passed away December 24, 2012, at Gallatin Health Care in Gallatin, TN. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 29, 2012, at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Anne Russell Bradley officiating. The interment will immedately follow at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, December 29, 2012, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church. Carolyn Jean White was born in Memphis, TN, on October 26, 1924, to Dr. Charles Edger White and Carolyn Hurt White. She was a graduate of Oklahoma University School of Journalism where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. At the age of 20 she learned to fly a Piper Cub Air Plane and received her pilot's license. Jean married the late Harry Clay Terrell, III, and spent a year as a newlywed in Post WWII Europe. There, she hosted a radio show, keeping American servicemen's wives informed of the service and supplies available to them in Munich. She accompanied the first group of children held in concentration camps by train from Czechoslovakia to reunite with their families. Her letters from war torn Europe sent to her mother were published in the local newspaper, recording her personal experience during the occupation. Jean developed her own business, The City Hostess Service, welcoming newcomers to Columbus and introducing them to local businesses. She later earned her real estate license and worked with Swoope as a realtor until retirement. Jean actively served the community in many capacities. She was a charter member of the Soroptomist Club. Through Soroptomist, Jean was instrumental in developing services for women, including Safe Haven. In recognition of her work, she received numerous awards for outstanding community service. As a member of the Columbus Junior Auxiliary, Jean wrote a play, "The Ladies Came First", for the Pilgrimage Ball. She was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church and active in Emmaus and prison ministry. Survivors include her son, Clay Terrell and his wife Sheila, of Columbus, MS, daughters, Carolyn Hamilton and her husband Ray of Hendersonville, TN, and Charlotte Terrell of Nashville, TN, sister, Margorie Rousek of Los Angeles, CA, and grandchildren Chris Terrell of Hendersonville, TN, and Dawn Myers of Ocean Springs, MS. Pallbearers will be Kyle Chandler, Jim Chandler, Roger Pryor, Joel Myers, Will Hardy, and Dave Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Henry Weiss, Houston Hardy, Dewitt Hicks, Jim Pryor, Mickey Guyton, Ray McIntyre, Ron Locke, Ralph McLain, Tommy Glenn, Bobby Hooks, and Mike Commiskey. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 32, Columbus, MS, 39703, or Safe Haven, P.O. Box 5354, Columbus, MS, 39703.