February 13, 2025, 69, Goldsboro —
Terry Bryan Butler, 69, stepped into life everlasting with her Heavenly Father on Thursday, February 13, 2025 while in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family. Terry was born in Wayne County to the late J.W. and Melrose Best Bryan on March 18, 1955.
Teaching physical education for thirty-five years, Terry retired while serving at Eastern Wayne Elementary School in Wayne County. Coaching many different sports throughout her tenure, Terry made lasting relationships with her players and made sure to keep up with them through the years. After her retirement, she continued to tutor and make a difference in the student’s lives of Wayne County Schools.
Terry lived a life of dedication to her family and friends, and to her community. She served her community many ways from working as a certified CPR instructor for over 10 years to her work with the Wayne County’s Relay for Life. For over 20 years, Terry co-chaired the Relay for Life event in Goldsboro with Dr. Lee Adams. With a great love for good beach music, Terry was honored with her induction in 2008 to the Beach Music Shaggers Hall of Fame.
Constantly putting others before herself, Terry was happiest when she was helping someone. Full of love, she had a deep care that was evident not only in word, but also in deed. Friends, family, or stranger alike, her heart was always focused on how she could share the love of Christ through her actions.
Terry worshipped her Lord faithfully and made many great friendships with those in the congregation at The First Church in Goldsboro. Second only to her faith was love of her family. She loved deeply, and that love was never more evident than when she was spending time with her husband, children, extended family, and a circle of girlfriends she traveled with and loved dearly. She took great pride in her roles as wife, Mama, sister, and friend.
The family will receive friends on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at The First Church, 1100 The First Church Road, Goldsboro. A service to celebrate Terry’s life will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with Rev. Bill Rose and Michael Odom officiating. Interment will be in the Ham Family Cemetery near the home.
Terry is survived by her husband of 34 years, Ralston Daneel Butler; children, Colton Butler, Erica Leigh Butler, and Wesley Daneel Butler; brother, Mark Bryan and wife, Jo Ann; sister, Pam Bryan; and nephews, Mark Bryan and wife, Amy and Matthew Bryan. She is also survived by Dan’s family: sister-in-law, Diane Butler Johnson; brother-in-law, Dwight Butler and wife, Stacy; sister-in-law, Denise Butler Stillwell; nieces and nephews, Chad Johnson, Amy Temple, Heather Wagner, Amanda Miller, Justin Butler, Gabriel Butler, Brandon Butler, Liam Stillwell and Aiden Stillwell; and several great nieces and nephews she loved very much.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Darlene Butler Miller.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in her memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or to Cures for the Colors, SMOC, 203 Cox Blvd., Goldsboro, NC 27534.
Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
