Eunice Terry, age 95 passed away Friday, January 17, 2025 at Silver Foxes Nursing Home and Rehab, McLeansboro, IL. Eunice was born September 18, 1929, in Marissa, IL. the eldest daughter of Merlin L. and Florence L. (Baker) Jones. She is survived by one sister, Shirley L. (Jones) Chandler.
Eunice married Willard D. Wilson on November 30, 1947. From this union seven children were born; David L. (Minnie) Wilson, Richard D. Wilson (Susan Brown), Stephen P. Wilson, Marilyn K. Wilson-Crowe, Joyce A. (Ronnie) Davis, Amy L. Wilson and Edward D. (Angie) Wilson in addition to seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Eunice married A. R. Terry on August 9, 1995 in Pocohontas, AK. This union expanded to include A.R.’s children; Sandy Jackson, Rebecca Terry, Mindy (Aaron) Santhuff along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Eunice is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Merlin D. Jones and brother-in-law Earl Chandler, her husband A. R. Terry, Willard D. Wilson, daughter Joyce (Wilson) Davis, daughter-in-law Elaine (Gardner) Wilson and Martha (Peters) Wilson, sons-in-law Joel Crowe, David Jackson and Keith Bute and grandchildren Jonathan Wilson and David “Leslie” Wilson.
Eunice was the daughter of generations of Welsh coal miners who immigrated to the US in the late 1700’s and migrated to Southern Illinois to work in the local coal mines. Her father was President of the local coal miner’s union when it was being formed leaving strong lifelong ties to the coal mining communities in Southern Illinois. Eunice graduated from Marissa Township High School with honors. She worked at the Olney Daily Mail in advertising during the mid-60s. She went on to graduate from Olney Community College with an Associates in Early Childhood Development and opened Tiny Tot Day Care in Carmi, IL. in the late 1960’s. She graduated with a B.A. in business from Millikin University in Decatur in 1987 at which time she worked for the Illinois American Heart Association affiliate, retiring at the Missouri Affiliate as Director of Field Services.
Eunice has been a Christian believer all her life. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Christian Chapel in McLeansboro, IL. Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the Christian Chapel in memory of Eunice’s lifelong commitment of her faith.
Her parting words were, “May God bless you for all the loving, happy memories of a lifetime that were comforting to me as I aged.
As per Eunice’s request, she was cremated and there will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.
Harre Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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