Robert Arthur Terry

Dr. Robert Arthur Terry, of Magnolia, died Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Magnolia Health and Rehabilitation. He was born on February 10, 1938, in Texarkana, Arkansas, to Hallie (Oates) and Dr. Arthur Terry. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elizabeth Ann Terry. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, daughter, Natasha Chandler and husband Jason, son, David, brother, Dr. James Terry and wife Carmen, and grandson, Bishop Sites. Dr. Terry graduated from Pine Bluff High School and Hendrix College. After graduation, he attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He received a Master's Degree in English from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and his PhD in British Literature from the University of Arizona at Tucson. He taught at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks before accepting a position in the English Department at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. While teaching at S.A.U., Dr. Terry was a reader for Educational Testing Service. He read and graded Advanced Placement English exams as well as other national English tests. In addition to his teaching position, Dr. Terry served as pastor of Village and Ebenezer Methodist Churches. He conducted services at both churches for approximately 33 years. Dr. Terry developed a tutoring program at S.A.U., Supplemental Instruction, whereby a student who did well in a particular course could sit in on that course the following semester and act as a tutor to students who were having difficulty. When he retired, former students established a scholarship in his name to benefit an outstanding SI leader each semester. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Magnolia, under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Robert A. Terry Scholarship Fund at Southern Arkansas University or Columbia County Animal Protection Society. The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Magnolia Health and Rehabilitation and Life Touch Hospice. Online guest book is available at lewisfuneralhome.biz.