Betty Lou Terry

Betty Lou Terry (née Hutcherson), 83, passed away on January 22, 2025, in Clinton, Maryland. 

 Born on December 26, 1941, in Danville, Virginia, Betty attended Coates Elementary School and graduated from Brosville High School in 1960. She began her career as a sheet inspector in the textile division at Dan River Mill before transitioning to the HVAC industry. She started as a secretary at Bennett Air Conditioning, later becoming an office manager, and retired in 2007 as a bookkeeper at Mechanical Design Systems (MDS). 

 Betty’s faith was a cornerstone of her life, instilled by her grandfather, Joseph Banks, a Baptist pastor who became a Seventh-day Adventist, converting his entire family and congregation. Since 1970, she was an active member of Pennsylvania Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church (PASDAC), serving in various roles, including Sabbath School teacher, Pathfinder leader, deaconess, Health & Senior Ministries member, and treasury department member. She also contributed to countless church potlucks and events and was a strong advocate for Christian education. When visiting family in Danville, she worshipped at Piney Forest SDA Church. 

 She found joy in cooking, camping, fishing, traveling, and spending time with loved ones. Betty especially looked forward to family get-togethers, from cousin reunions in the mountains to Thanksgiving feasts on her mom’s ( aka Granny Hutch) porch. In retirement, she enjoyed puzzles, reading, devotions, and Bible study. Her three grandsons and three furry grandcats brought her great happiness. A lover of music, she enjoyed Elvis Presley’s songs, hymns, southern gospel, and country music—but not bluegrass. She also had a sweet tooth for chocolate treats like Andes mints, York Peppermint Patties, and German Chocolate cake. 

 Betty is survived by her husband of nearly 57 years, Richard of Upper Marlboro, MD; her children Randall (Tamara) of Burleson, TX, and Kimberly of Laurel, MD; and her grandsons Joseph, Jonathan, and James. She is also survived by her brother Kenneth (Sibyl) of Danville, VA; sister-in-law Janet of Locust Grove, VA; and many beloved relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Edith Lois (Banks) Hutcherson and Ophus Aron Hutcherson Sr., as well as her brothers Ophus Aron Hutcherson Jr. and Charles William Hutcherson. 

 A Celebration of Life service will be held on March 1, 2025, at 4:00 PM at Beltsville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Beltsville, Maryland. A second service will take place on August 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM at Piney Forest Seventh-day Adventist Church in Danville, Virginia. 

 Betty’s unwavering faith and love for God and family will remain an enduring legacy to all who knew her.