Terrial Lee Freeman Ahern, “Terri,” graduated to the Church Triumphant May 1, 2020.
Terri was a special child of God and was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter and sister.
Terri temporarily leaves behind her husband of 44 years Sam Ahern; her daughters Chanda Love, Cherise Ahern, Cheryl Edenfield; her grandchildren Kimberly Tucker, Azaryah Pope, Matayah Pope, Kolton Edenfield, Sayler Edenfield; her great-grandchildren Thomas Tucker and Emily Jane Tucker.
She is also survived by her sisters, Linda Jennings and Betty Jo Harris. her brother, Marty Freeman, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and a great niece. She always appreciated the comfort in knowing that Travis is with Cheryl and Matthew is with Kimberly, taking wonderful care of both of them.
Terri’s proudest legacy and deepest love was always her precious family, surpassed only by her love for Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior. She loved being Mom and Mimi to her children and to her “grands!” She loved Sam deeply, and daily said to him “have I told you today that I love you!”
She found complete joy and her sense of meaningful purpose in helping others. She was always the first one there when family or a friend needed help, and unselfishly gave of herself to meet the need. Her mother, Doris, told Sam before they were married that Terri “has go in her blood.” Indeed she did!
Her early married life to Sam was spent in Locust Grove and McDonough, Ga. where she raised her family and taught them about her love for Jesus and how to joyfully serve him through service to others.
She and Sam were members of the McDonough Presbyterian Church during their time in Henry County, and they later joined the Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church after Sam’s retirement and their subsequent full time move to Rabun County in March 2016.
Terri began a long stint with her gymnastics family when Cheryl began her gymnastics activities and then later Kimberly as well. First as a mother of a gymnast, a grandmother of a gymnast, and then as an employee of the gym, she was able to continue her ministry there to countless workers and little aspiring gymnasts. She treasured her gymnastics family.
Terri greatly enjoyed her mountain home and life in the Sylvan Lake Falls community. She instantly made new deep and lasting friendships with her neighbors there and in the church, while always maintaining and nurturing her many lifelong friendships.
Terri always had a dog and often a cat as well. Poncho, a Yorkie terrier mix, is her latest rescue dog for the last 7 years; she nursed Cisco, her calico cat, back to health after she showed up on the deck as a feeble little kitten. Their antics made for many laughs and great enjoyment and gave her more souls to care for.
Terri loved her church service, and she recruited Sam into Vacation Bible School at Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church when their grandsons began attending VBS there. She continued to work with Sam in VBS, as well as teaching Sunday School and filling in to assist in the Nursery. At church events that involved food, you would always see her in the kitchen preparing to serve or cleaning up afterwards.
Terri babysat for friends and neighbors during her time in Locust Grove. She began a “Good News Club” with the children with daily devotionals for them. Many of them have thanked Terri in their adult life for those times of worship and learning about Jesus.
She recently completed an online Bible Study with her granddaughter, Sayler. After their morning sessions, she wept tears of joy for Sayler’s expression of faith and enjoyment of her time with Mimi.
Terri’s sudden and unexpected departure has revealed such a big difference between quiet and emptiness now; we cherish every precious remembrance of our sweet Terri and are at a complete loss for words.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that donation be made to Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church New Building Fund at P.O. Box 333 Rabun Gap, Ga 30568 in memory of Terri.