Alma Terrell

Imagine this: a woman who once bent down to tie the shoes of fidgeting second graders, who sang "Jesus Loves Me" softly with a roomful of wide-eyed children on Sunday mornings, is now 107.

Her life spans wars and moon landings, black-and-white photographs and digital clouds, the rise of radios, televisions, and now screens so small they fit in a palm. But what I remember is not history's sweep - it's the tender way her hand guided mine on a pencil, the way her voice carried gentle authority in a room of restless little bodies, the way her eyes, even then, seemed to carry the kindness of someone who understood how much a child needs to be seen.

At 107, she is a living archive, but also something simpler and deeper: proof that small acts - a patient smile, a softly spoken blessing, a steady presence year after year - ripple far beyond their moment.

I wonder: Did she ever imagine, back when she was that babe in the photo would be thinking of her now, all these decades later, with a heart full of gratitude and awe?

Alma graduated from Weinert in 1936 with only 11 students in her class. She later graduated McMurry College now McMurry University in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She taught school at Douglas 12 miles east of Haskell and she was the only teacher with 12 pupils from 1940 to 1942. In 1943 she taught at Paint Creek Departmental Grades, from 1944 to 1949 she taught 3rd grade at Weinert, and then taught 2nd grade at Haskell ISD from 1950 to 1973. She also retired at the end of school year in 1973.

Alma Terrell, 107, a longtime resident of Haskell went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 5, 2025. A funeral service will be held at the 2:00pm, Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the First Methodist Church in Haskell with Rev. Dusty Garison officiating, under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Haskell. A visitation is planned from 6:00 to 7:00pm Thursday, October 7, 2025, at the funeral home, 304 N 2nd Street, Haskell, Texas.

She is survived by her daughters, Paula and Tim Everett, Mollie and Roger Moeller from Haskell: 7 grandkids, 20 great grandkids, and 7 great great grandkids; special friends, Minnie Camacho, Marijane, Shirley Sloan, Sherry Adams, Peggy Hall, Phillis and Jerry Don Klose, Jamie Weaver, Dana Gibson, JoNell Roberts, Susie Seelke, and Jill and Keith Everett.

She is preceded in death by many of her loving family members.

Special thanks to Hendricks CICU 3rd floor night and day shifts, and Big Country Hospice.

Memorials can be made in Alma's name to:

First Methodist Church Organ Fund

P.O.Box 525

Haskell, Texas 79521

Rehab West Texas Rehab Center

Hospice of the Big Country

4601 Hartford St

Abilene, Texas 79605

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.