Dorothy Jean (Magorian) Terry

Dorothy Jean Terry (Jean) was born January 2, 1929 and died June 10, 2022. She was 93 years old.  She was born in Bakersfield, California, the fifth of seven children.  She was raised in the small farming town of McFarland, CA. She attended and graduated from Bakersfield Junior College and De Anza College in Cupertino, CA.

Jean was a gifted pianist and could play the piano before she was big enough to reach the keys.  She sang in school choirs and also played bells and the clarinet in high school.  As an adult she sang and played for the church choir, ensembles and praise teams. She was a church secretary, served on the mission field and directed a choir for a short time. 

Jean married Robert O. Terry of Delano, California on September 15, 1950 at the Methodist Church in McFarland California. They were blessed with three sons during their marriage of over 35 years and moved to Bakersfield, California in 1958.

Jean retired from the Kern County Sheriff Office after over (10) years employed as a Typist and Arrest Records Clerk and over (10) years employed with the Santa Clara County Assessor’s office.  Jean started a new life in Huntsville, AL at 89 years old and attended Christ Presbyterian Church and Whitesburg Baptist Church during her final years.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents Henry Ward Magorian Sr. and Mary Ethel (Helms) Magorian, siblings Mary Ethel Marple, Henry Ward Magorian Jr., Bruce Glendon Magorian, Lois Roberta Walters, Glenn Keith Margorian and Janice Sharon Magorian.

Jean leaves behind three sons, John Michael (Karen), Stephen Paul (Betty) and Richard Kevin (Julie).  She also has six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

She will be remembered for her proud and independent nature and her passionate and unwavering love of family and church.

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