Terry Family

05/24/2026

Decoration Day was filled with love, memories, and family. Despite the crazy rain, we had an amazing turnout with 45 family members coming together. We are all thankful for the time shared and the traditions that keep us connected year after year. 🤎 So great to see more people this year!

05/24/2026

Dinner pics! Thank you everyone for coming out this was such a great evening. We will definitely try to make it a tradition to meet somewhere for dinner while we are here every year.

05/23/2026

Dinner update! We just stopped by the restaurant to talk to them and they do get busy on Saturday night so we’re gonna be there at 4:30 to get in line for big party but everyone has to be there to be seated so if everyone can get there closest to 5:00 would be ideal. Otherwise wait might be hour. Super cute place!

05/07/2026

In Loving Memory: Clennie M. Terry (Gracey)
1907 – 1987

We honor the life and legacy of our beloved matriarch, Clennie M. Terry, who passed away 39 years ago today, on May 7, 1987.

Born in the hills of Sparta, Tennessee, Clennie was the daughter of William David Gracy and Brady Almara West. She carried the strength of her Tennessee roots with her when she eventually made her home in Indiana. A woman of immense resilience and heart, she raised a large, vibrant family that continues to grow and honor her memory today.

She was a devoted mother to her ten children and a steady branch in our family tree. Whether she was known as Clennie, "Ma," or "Grandma" she was the glue that held so much of our history together.

Today, we remember her spirit, her journey from White County to Beech Grove, and the deep roots she planted for all of us.

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

Rest in Peace, Grandma Clennie. Always in our hearts.

A Brief Life Sketch
Born: September 10, 1907 | Sparta, TN

Departed: May 7, 1987 | Beech Grove, IN

Resting Place: Wesley Chapel Cemetery

Legacy: Mother to Fannie, Lena, William, Donald, Carl, Ruby, James, Robert, Erbie, and Jennifer.

05/06/2026

It’s almost time 🌸 Decoration 4th Sunday in May! We are also planning dinner that Saturday night at Foglight. We gathered for years at Center Hill Restaurant with our families and now the restaurant is gone. We’d like to start new traditions with more extended family coming.
❣️ Please comment below how many for dinner so we can get enough seats.

03/19/2026

Terry Family Research Update: Fact vs. "Copy-Paste" 🔍
Hi family! I’ve been digging deeper into our 3rd Great-Grandfather Joseph Terry, and I’ve reached a point where I’m challenging the "common knowledge" found in a lot of online family trees.

The "Echo Chamber" Warning
If you look at most Terry trees on Ancestry or FamilySearch, they link us directly as children of Major Stephen Terry. While our DNA definitely proves we are closely related to that specific line, I’m finding evidence that the popular "Son of the Major" theory might be a simple copy-paste error that’s spread over the years.

Why I’m Skeptical:
The Missing Inheritance: I’ve analyzed Major Stephen Terry’s 1866 Will. He was extremely detailed and named the children of his other deceased son—but he never mentioned Joseph or any of Joseph's children. If we were direct heirs, we should be in that document.

The Birthplace Mystery: On our Great-Grandfather John C. Terry’s death certificate, Joseph’s birthplace is listed as "Unknown." If Joseph were a direct son of the well-documented Major Stephen, that South Carolina/Georgia connection usually would have been a point of family pride. "Unknown" suggests Joseph was from a different "branch" that lost touch.

The Blacksmith Clue: Our Joseph was a blacksmith in Monroe County, TN. We are looking for a Joseph Terry with that specific trade, not just anyone with the right name.

My New "Nephew" Theory
DNA matches can be tricky. You can share a lot of DNA with a Great-Uncle’s descendants and have it look like a direct line. I believe Joseph was actually a nephew of Major Stephen—perhaps a son of one of the Major’s brothers (like Benjamin or John).

This would explain why our DNA "pings" the Major Stephen line so strongly, but the legal paperwork doesn't show us as his children.

How You Can Help:
I’m looking for Primary Sources (not just other people's trees!):

Does anyone have an old Family Bible or Letters mentioning a Joseph Terry who moved to Tennessee?

Do you have any records mentioning James D. Terry? (He is the man our orphaned John C. Terry lived with in 1860, and he is likely Joseph's brother).

Let’s find the real story, not just the copied one! If you’ve seen anything in your own research that contradicts the "Major Stephen" link, please reach out.

03/10/2026

03/07/2026

https://www.simplicityfuneralandcremationcare.com/obituaries/Carl-Benton-Terry?obId=47410804

View Carl Benton Terry's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

02/28/2026

Hi family, it is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Uncle Carl. He passed away Tuesday Feb 24th. He was the last of his generation in our branch of the Terry family, and we want to give him a wonderful send-off.

Funeral Arrangements:

Date: Wednesday, March 11th

Visitation: 11:00 am

Service: 12:00 pm (Noon)

Location: Simplicity Funeral Home in Zionsville located at
125 West Sycamore Street.

Burial: Zionsville Cemetery 10555 Zionsville Rd, Zionsville, IN 46077 (following the service)

Please keep Karla and Kipp and the rest of the immediate family in your thoughts and prayers.

12/16/2025

Family,

It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news of yet another passing in our family. Our cousin Karen Terry passed away Dec 6th. This loss feels especially heavy as we are still grieving for Karen and processing the recent goodbyes we’ve had to say to our generation.

As I look through our family records, I’m struck by the fact that of our parents’ entire generation—all those brothers and sisters born in White County—Uncle Carl is the only one left with us. It feels like a library is slowly closing, book by book.

To my own cousins: our generation is now becoming the 'elders' of the John Calhoun Terry line. It is a sobering reminder to hold each other a little closer and to keep sharing the stories of those who came before us.

Please keep our family in your prayers, especially Carl and those closest to Karen.

With love, Robert Atnip

View Karen Diana Terry's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.