Teri Janene Jenkins, a kind, friendly and gentle woman, peacefully entered into the arms of her Savior after finally losing a brave and valiant battle with COPD, cancer, congestive heart failure and two strokes.  To say Teri was tough, tenacious and courageous would be an understatement.

A daughter of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Teri grew up in a unique American era surrounded by a close and loving family.  Her times and her family's love strongly influenced her character, her values, her work ethic, her faith and her positive outlook on life despite later challenges.  Her parents, Earl and Maurine Jenkins, and her sisters, Lorelea Elliott and JoAnne Dodd, were instrumental in guiding Teri and helping her grow into an optimistic, strong, caring, generous, selfless and Godly woman.

Teri attended elementary and junior high in Ardmore.  She and her family were very active in the First Presbyterian Church and her days were filled with church activities, being a cowgirl, climbing trees, playing with her sisters, hunting and fishing with dad, sewing with mom, spending summers on the farm, and learning gymnastics from her grandfather.  She also got to meet her childhood hero – Gene Autry.

Teri graduated from Ardmore High School in 1960.  During her high school years she swam and played at Lake Murray, hung out at Turner Falls and took many family trips.  She continued with her tumbling and gymnastics, was a cheerleader for the Ardmore Tigers, and she spent every moment she could with her high school sweetheart – James Moore Johnston (or Jimmy).  She also loved to dance and even won a few jitterbug contests.  She had many high school friends, whom she cherished, and a very close graduating class.  Teri reveled in their shared times and friendship and she always made a monumental effort to get back to Ardmore and see her many friends at their regular class reunions.

After high school Teri followed her older sister to Oklahoma State University.  She graduated in 1962 with an associate's degree in secretarial science and thereafter held various executive assistant jobs.  Shortly thereafter she married Jimmy and in 1966 they had Teri's only child, James Moore Johnston, Jr.  By this time Teri had traded Gene Autry for John Wayne so she nicknamed her son Duke.  Although Teri and Jim eventually parted ways they worked together to raise their son and remained close friends.

During the 1970's Teri and her son lived in Houston.  Teri was an exceptional and caring mother. To her son, she provided counsel and advice in every respect and at an early age she instilled in her son the value of a good education and strong work ethic.  Despite being a single mother working two jobs she never missed a football game, basketball game or track meet, and when none of the dads stepped-up Teri somehow managed to take on the role of cub scout leader as well.  It was during this time she decided to teach her son the most important rules of life.  First, Mom is always right.  Second, if Mom is ever wrong simply refer to rule number one.  She "jokingly" told her son this for many, many years.

The 1980's and early 90's found Teri in and around Rosenberg, Texas, where she first co-owned and co-operated a transmission shop.  Afterwards she took a job at a local credit union and in a very short time she was managing the credit union.  Teri never met a stranger and she made many great, lifelong friends during her time in and around Rosenberg. She loved camping and traveling around Texas with her friends and she never missed an opportunity to cook a delicious meal for Duke and his friends – some of whom affectionately called her Mama J.  She had a great love and passion for dogs and during these years she raised and cared for numerous dogs including Ralph, Penny, Sabor, Poker and Tiger.

Always seeking challenges and the next great adventure she then decided she would become a paralegal. Teri packed up, moved to the country outside of Bedias, Texas and got a job at a law firm in Madisonville. Before long she was assisting with the firm's family law and criminal cases and she loved supporting all of the firm's clients that were going through especially hard times.  In turn, her clients greatly appreciated her caring nature and they relied on Teri to help and guide them.

Teri was overjoyed and comforted when her son married Beverly Gerhardt in 1998.  She loved her daughter-in-law with all her heart and Beverly was right there with her during all of her physical challenges.  In 2000 Teri was also blessed with a granddaughter, Brianna Marie Johnston.  Teri was over the moon when her granddaughter was born so a year later Teri retired and moved to Waco to be closer to her family. Teri really enjoyed these years. She seized every opportunity to spend time with her granddaughter, she tried to never miss any of Brianna's academic or sporting events, and the two of them were inseparable.  Even though she is a Texas girl Brianna even attended OSU like her NaNa.

And, as was her way, before long Teri had made friends with just about everyone in her retirement living community in Waco.  She was always willing to lend a helping hand to the older residents by cooking them meals, running them to the grocery store, taking them shopping or simply offering a sympathetic ear. During her time in Houston, Teri worked for United Cerebral Palsy and she always had a special place in her heart for those that had been disadvantaged in some way. She was constantly looking for people she could help. Later, when Teri couldn't really help others and had to move to assisted living herself, she agreed to be the resident ambassador and welcome the new residents to the community.

Teri had always been a voracious reader and her final couple of years were spent dog-sitting for friends and reading countless books on Texas history – especially anything having to do with Native Americans or Texas Rangers.  She had even compiled a list of historical places she wanted to visit. Unfortunately, a second stroke cut these plans short but she nevertheless lived life to its fullest right up to the end.

For those that knew Teri, or had the honor of meeting her, what most people seem to remember was her incredible sense of humor and her huge, beautiful smile that really did light up a room.  In addition to those mentioned above Teri loved her niece, Kim Hays, and her nephews, Derek Elliott, Greg Elliott and Ronnie Dodd, as well as their respective fathers, spouses, children and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Craddock Memorial Chapel with Wayne Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers will be Derek Elliott, Ronnie Dodd, Doug Little, Riley Dodd, Aaron Ellliott and Alivia Elliott.

Online condolences may be made at craddockfuneralhome.com