Aletta Ruth (Smith) Terry

Aletta Terry, a 91 year old Melbourne resident, passed away at 10:33 p.m., Sunday, August 8, 2021 at Daviess County Nursing and Rehab in Gallatin, MO.

Memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. with family visitation at 1:00 p.m., Saturday August 21, 2021 at Resthaven Mortuary of Trenton.  Burial will be immediately following services at Mitchell Cemetery in Melbourne, MO.  Memorial donations are suggested to the Mitchell Cemetery and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.

Aletta Ruth Terry was born May 26, 1930 in Farmersville, TX, to Jessie William and Mable May (Johnson) Smith.  She graduated from Farmersville, TX. She was united in marriage on May 24, 1947 to Ralph Terry in Farmersville, TX.   After their marriage they moved to Melbourne, Mo where they made a home and raised their family.  They owned and operated a grocery store and she was the United States post mistress for the post office in the store.  She was a beloved housewife, mother and grandmother as well as sports enthusiast, and would watch her children’s and grandchildren’s games as well as the Chiefs. She was a member of the Melbourne Baptist Church and active with the W.M.U. group in the church.  Aletta loved gardening and growing flowers and playing Texas 42 Dominoes.  Ralph preceded her in death on July 20, 2011. 

Aletta was the very definition of resilience. With a fierce determination, despite being in a wheelchair for 50 years, it never slowed her down or kept her from living life to the fullest.  She was an inspiration too and loved by countless people.

Surviving relatives include her daughter Lisa Hedrick and significant other Alan Souders, son in law Fred Boland, sister Peggy Bowen, brother Jerry Smith and wife Christy, sister-in-law, Pat Smith, 6 grandchildren; Donna Ratliff and husband Stacey, Barbara Boland and wife Karen Moore, Nina Moulin and husband Ireland, Charla Ratliff and husband Shannon, Curtis Smith and wife Carrie, Damon Prokop-Smith and wife Heidi, 13 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Those preceding her in death other than her husband include her daughters Linda Lou Boland and Connie Sue Hanes, a sister Lorene Reynolds, and brothers Jessie Smith Jr, Bobby Smith, and James Smith.

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