of Greenbrier, AR
September 27, 1957 - March 12, 2024
Terry G. Gill went to be with our Heavenly Father on March 12, 2024 at the age of 66. The void he leaves behind is immeasurable, but there is confidence in knowing his body has been made whole again by our Lord, who he was the most faithful servant to.
Terry was born to Alton ''Doc'' and Wilma Martin Gill on September 27, 1957. He went on to graduate from Vilonia High School and the University of Arkansas. Terry began teaching at Vilonia in 1979. He was the embodiment of a teacher who loved his ''kids''. Terry went on to teach Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grade before retiring after 38 years of teaching in Vilonia. The impact he left on many is still witnessed to this day whether it be by teaching, coaching Pee Wee basketball, or serving in his community. It didn't happen often that he could go anywhere without hearing ''Hey, Mr. Gill'', to which majority of the time he would respond with every bit of knowledge he could remember about that particular student, their family and if they were a ''good kid''.
Terry met his best friend and loving wife of 34 years, Ruella, while teaching. They were married June 3, 1989. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, Lawren, soon after. Joy grew again by the arrival of their son, Drew. Terry's love grew immensely when he became Papaw with the birth of his grandchildren, Adam, 8, and Makenzie, 7. He loved them with every fiber of his being. He shared qualities of unconditional love, guidance and unwavering faith with all of them.
Terry was a devout member of Friendship Baptist Church for 33 years. He served as an ordained deacon, member in the choir, children's and youth ministry and gained a host of second family there as an adult Sunday School teacher for 29 years.
Terry was undoubtedly met in the streets of Heaven by his parents, Alton ''Doc'' and Wilma Gill; sister, Barbara Martin; brother, Dale Gill; brother in law, Greg Kelley and sister in law, Rebecca Kelley.
His beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of those he leaves behind: his wife, Ruella; children, Lawren Schnebelen (Kyle) and Drew Gill; grandchildren, Adam and Makenzie Schnebelen. Terry also leaves behind devoted family members: mother in law, LaVone Lawrence; brother in law, Randy Lawrence (Sharon); sister in law, Rita Stapleton (Rick); sister in law, Renee Stone (JD); brother in law, Michael Shaw; nieces, Jessica Kelley, Katlyn Stapleton, Laken Lawrence, Addison Lawrence, Savannah Stone; nephews, Matthew Kelley (Brittany), Nathan Kelley (Lainey), Carter Stapleton, Landon Stone and JB Shaw. Also included is a
large host of extended family, friends, church family and students that were blessed to know him along the way.
Celebration of Terry's life will be held by visitation on Friday, March 15 from 6-8pm and funeral services on Saturday, March 16 at 10am. Both services will be held at Friendship Baptist Church in Conway. A private family burial will follow.
Pallbearers will be Steve Hawkins, Clint Rose, Randy Lawrence, Rick Stapleton, JD Stone, Matthew Kelley, Nathan Kelley and Carter Stapleton.
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49 Condolence(s)
Jennifer Goss
Friday, April 19, 2024
I just came across Mr. Gill's obituary, I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences for all of his family. He will always hold a special place in my heart because he was my kindergarten teacher actually I was in his first kindergarten class ge taught at Vilonia.
Denny Mickels
Thursday, March 21, 2024
So very sorry to hear of Terry's passing. He was a great guy! My prayers to Rue and the family.
Carolyn Hall Burnam
Monday, March 18, 2024
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for God’s comfort and strength in the days and months to come.
Debra Young
Monday, March 18, 2024
My family is so sorry for your loss. He was a very good man and an awesome teacher. My girls had him for a kindergarten teacher. I couldn't have asked for a better start in school life for them. Rest in peace Mr. Gill. May your family find peace in knowing that you were loved by your family, friends and your students.
Julie And Martin Harvey
Sunday, March 17, 2024
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of Terry , He was such a kind soul , I met him when my kids attended vilonia primary way back when , actually my husband is Kin to him and I wasn’t aware of it for a long time , I just kept saying what a sweet teacher I met at vilonia schools , till one day my husband went with me and seen Terry and they hugged that’s when they told me that they were kin I knew then that’s why he was so kind he came from a lovely family
Anita and Greg Adelman
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Our family is so sorry for your loss.
Pete Deden
Saturday, March 16, 2024
My condolences.
Annie Smith
Saturday, March 16, 2024
So sorry to hear that Terry passed away, it’s much harder on those left behind as he transitioned from this earthly life to the great eternal life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus. My prayers are with you.
Donna Blake
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Ruella, my heart breaks for you. I know you both suffered greatly during Terry’s long illness. What a comfort you must have been to him. I know God must have met him with “good and faithful servant”. Just let God wrap His arms around you now and give you great comfort and a promise you will be together again one day. Love you
Sonja Burton Healy
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Prayers for the Gill family. So sorry to hear he passed. He will be greatly missed and appreciated for all his talents especially teaching. He was kindergarten teacher for two of my girls. They loved him. He was an amazing Sunday school teacher. I know he is loving being with our Lord and his family in heaven.
Janet Clay
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Ruella,
Please know I am praying for you and your precious family in the loss of your dear husband. What a fight he fought and he has been rewarded by being healed in Heaven and reunited with those who have gone before him. I’m sure he heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” as he met Jesus. May God comfort you now and in the days, weeks, months ahead.
Janet Clay
Sue Farris
Friday, March 15, 2024
Ruella and family, I am so sad to hear of Terry’s passing. He was a legend in the Vilonia community. Everyone knew him! My prayers go out to you in the coming days and beyond. I know you will miss him terribly.
Tim Zimmerman
Friday, March 15, 2024
Terry was such a positive influence on my teenage years. I will cherish the lessons of faith and life forever. I still am not sure how we ever fit so many of us in that old Ford Bronco of his. Many prayers for you, Ruella, and your entire family.
Jackie Martindale
Friday, March 15, 2024
We love you, Terry from the RESEA program-Division of Workforce Services. You were always kind and considerate. I will miss you.
Kim Mitchell
Friday, March 15, 2024
Ruella and family we are so sorry for your loss. He was a great teacher, a wonderful example of a Godly man and the BEST Sunday School teacher ever! My family is blessed for having known him. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family.
Connie Price
Friday, March 15, 2024
Ruella and family, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Terry. He was a remarkable man. I know the loss will be felt immensely. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Shirley, I’m sorry for the loss of your last sibling. I know how tough it is to say goodbye.
Thankful that all of you can rest in the assurance that he is with His Holy Father.
Belinda Bridges Massey
Friday, March 15, 2024
Prayers for you and your family. Mr. Gill was a wonderful teacher and precious person.
Tim and Robin Ralston
Friday, March 15, 2024
Ruella, we are so very sorry for the loss of your best friend and soul mate. Our family is lifting you and your family up in prayer for peace as only our Lord can give.
Christina Hensley West
Friday, March 15, 2024
Mr. Gill was my Kindergarten teacher. He set the stage well for my others teachers along the way. Wrapping his family and friends in prayers! Sending condolences!
David Heslep
Friday, March 15, 2024
Mr. Gill was a fine man, teacher, and pee wee basketball coach. He taught me a lot. Prayers for the family.
Nicole Spiller
Friday, March 15, 2024
Mr. Gill was my kindergarten teacher and left wonderful memories! It was an honor to know him, be taught by him, and attend church with such a Godly man! He legacy will continue to live all with the numerous people that he impacted in his life!
Bob Barham
Friday, March 15, 2024
My deepest sympathy and prayers for this good family. May God comfort you all.
Romans 8:28
Shelby-Lynn Long
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Terry taught my mom his first year of teaching. Then he taught me his 2nd to last year of teaching. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been a part of my life since the day I was born. He was like a grandfather to me. He taught half the school year from the Bible and half the year from a textbook. Then we compared the two. I love that man so much.
Kathy Brents
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Terry lived out his Christian faith and was a blessing to all who knew him. I was blessed to attend school and church with him early in life. Praying for all the family.
Heber McKissack
Thursday, March 14, 2024
We were blessed as a family by having Terry in our lives as a teacher, peewee basketball coach but most of all he was a great example of a giving & loving Christian
Heber McKissack
for the family
Russ Johnson
Thursday, March 14, 2024
A life well lived, my good friend. Such a great legacy! I’m heartbroken that I wasn’t able to visit with you more in these golden years, but we can all rejoice that your faith has become sight. Prayers for those left behind until reunion day.
Kim Lacy
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Sending my deepest condolences to the Gill family. Mr. Gill was a wonderful teacher and co-worker. I will always remember the days of working with him at VMS, we had some fun times!
Julie Cole-Shipman
Thursday, March 14, 2024
God bless Terry’s family my prayers are with all of you. I remember in school he always had a smile.
Lisa Henderson
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Brenda and Shirley, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother! Prayers for your family during this difficult time.
Tim Andrews
Thursday, March 14, 2024
It's been years since I saw him. He was always happy to see anyone he ever knew.
Time flies by when visiting with friends and no one knows when it will be the last time.
Prayers for the family.
Susan Dallas Tacker
Thursday, March 14, 2024
What a consistent Christian soul, living out his faith wherever he went. Even as a young man, I considered him a very close friend, having grown up in school and church together. Happy for Terry to meet his Savior face to face and be made whole again, but sad for the family and all of us, who carry on without him. We will celebrate all that God accomplished through him!
Ronnie and Carolyn Jones
Thursday, March 14, 2024
I’m so sorry, Ruella. What a wonderful legacy your husband has left. Prayers for you and all of your family in the days ahead without him. Praise that he is healed in Heaven. I can just see Greg and Rebecca standing there with Jesus to welcome him home.
Tonette molinar
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Keri Byrd
Thursday, March 14, 2024
It has been hard to watch one of God's most faithful go through what he has. I just kept thinking it didn't seem fair. I doubt Terry ever said that though, and I'm sure he never questioned God's plan.
I will forever be grateful for ALL the things I learned so well in his SS class & will carry it with me until we met again in Heaven. He just had a way of putting the Bible into words that made it all so clear. He totally had a gift for teaching....children and adults! He used his talent well.
I will keep his family in my prayers in the hard days ahead. May they feel all the love and prayers from people Terry impacted with his teaching and love for the Lord, even those they may not know.
Teresa May
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Terry was such a sweet spirit. He was always kind and such a genuine person. My prayers for peace, guidance and healing go out to you Ruella and your family and for everyone that was blessed to have know Terry.
Natalie Beck
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Ruella, please know that I am praying for you and your family. It was truly a pleasure working with Terry; he always had a smile on his face and something witty to say. I pray that you find comfort in the fact that he is with Jesus now. God bless.
Russ Johnson
Thursday, March 14, 2024
A life well lived, my good friend. Such a great legacy! I’m heartbroken that I wasn’t able to visit with you more in these golden years, but we can all rejoice that your faith has become sight. Prayers for those left behind until reunion day.
Patti Reynolds
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Ruella I’m so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during the difficult days ahead. Prayers for peace and comfort. I have such great memories of your family.
Brianna tallant
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Mr. Gill has always held such a special place in my heart. I had the pleasure of having him as a teacher three times! Kindergarten, 2nd grade and 6th grade. He always wrote on my report cards that I talked too much so by the time I made it to 6th grade, I was sitting by myself in the classroom haha! I was sad to hear he was retiring the year before my oldest started school because I would have loved for her to have him as a teacher. I will never forget Mr. Gill
Jo Lynn Warbritton
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
My sincere sympathy is extended to the Gill family. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Terry at Vilonia Middle School. He was a wonderful colleague and educator.
Mark Heffington
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Ruella, so sorry to hear about Terry! Wonderful man! Best Bible school teacher I ever had! God Bless the family!!
Chris Fuerst
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Ruella ,My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the Lord hold you and comfort you. Terry is going to be truely missed.
Lori Willhite
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Prayers for this family. Terry was great to work with, and was a great teacher for my boys. He will be missed by many.
Carla Wilson Evans
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Terry always had a smile when I would run into him. He will be missed.
Vickie D Rogers
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Terry was a great teacher and a great person to work with. Prayers for all of his familym
Randy & Janet Nokes
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
To the Family of Terry Gill,
So Sorry for Your Loss I Remember Terry from Pickles Gap Baptist Church. Haven’t Seen Him in Many Years,But was Always a Very Friendly Man. Praying For Your Family
Ayndrea Clements-Miller
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
So sorry for your loss. Mr Gill was my kindergarten teacher and I will always remember how wonderful and kind he was to me throughout the years.
Linda Dollar
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Terry was a wonderful Christian friend who loved to share God’s word. I know he is resting with Jesus and free of pain. My heart breaks for his family left behind whom he adored, God bless you all.
DEENA BEATY
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Mr.Terry Gill you touched so many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew you. You were a wonderful teacher to my kids. Ruella and family my heart breaks for you all. Continued prayers for your sweet precious family.