Opal Lee Terry

Opal Lee Terry, age 88, of Portales passed away Thursday November 6, 2008 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. Opal was born June 27, 1920 in Proffitt, Texas to the home of James Willie Beeson and the former Edna Lydia Maples. She was reared and attended schools in the Portales area. She met and later married Lewis James Terry in Portales, NM on December 14, 1936. They moved to Alaska and lived there for 9 year, during this time Opal worked in a Tuberculosis Sanitarium. When the family moved back to New Mexico, they settled in Portales. Together Opal and Lewis owned and operated the Pizza King in Portales for 6 years. Opal was a licensed daycare operator and cared for children in her home for 15 years. To better run these businesses, Opal completed an accounting correspondence course from The La Salle University. Opal was a member of the Church of Christ. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and caring for her family. She was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to her gospel music. Opal is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lewis Terry on August 15, 1988; an infant son James Terry; a daughter Patricia Annelle Wells; brothers, Billy and Jimmy Beeson; and a sister Juanita. She is survived by her daughters; Edna Fabian of Portales, and Winona Wright of Denison, TX;a son-in-law Jim Wells of Portales, NM; and a Sister, Dorothy Bivens of Texas. Also survivng are 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, November 12, 2008 from Portales Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner.