JUL 6, 1954 — OCT 25, 2026
Surrounded by her family, Vicky Lynn Terry Smith went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 25, 2026. Though her family’s hearts are broken by her passing, they find comfort in knowing that she is at peace and has been reunited in Heaven with her beloved parents, Marvin and Crystell Terry; her brothers-in-law, Steve Fought and Dwain Downey; and her nephew, Levi Downey.
Vicky was a woman whose life was defined by love, faith, kindness, and a quiet willingness to serve others. She believed in showing up for the people she loved, helping wherever she was needed, and making life a little sweeter for those around her. She may not have realized just how many lives she touched, but the love she gave so freely will continue to live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and the community she called home.
For much of her adult life, Vicky devoted herself to tending the family farm in Melrose, a place that held many memories and was an important part of her life. In 1994, she began a new chapter when she joined Melrose Schools as the high school secretary. In the early 2000s, she moved to the elementary school, where she continued to be a familiar, caring presence for students, teachers, staff, and families. She retired in 2017 after 231⁄2 years of service, leaving behind not only a legacy of dedication but also countless memories and friendships. Her work at the schools was more than a job; it was a place where she built relationships, offered a helping hand, and became part of the lives of so many.
Vicky’s love for her community extended well beyond the school walls. During the 1990s, she served on the Soil and Water Conservation Board, and in later years, she served as president of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce. She gave her time and energy because she genuinely cared about her community and the people who made it special. Whether through formal service or simply being there when someone needed her, Vicky understood that a strong community is built on people who care.
When she wasn’t working or serving others, Vicky found joy in the simple things that made life meaningful. She loved quilting, volunteering at the Melrose food pantry, and helping wherever she could at the Melrose Methodist Church. Her faith was an important part of her life, reflected not only in her belief in God but also in the kindness and compassion she showed to others.
And then there was her baking. Vicky was well known for making countless cinnamon rolls to share with coworkers and friends at school. Those cinnamon rolls were more than a homemade treat; they were a little expression of who she was. She had a way of making people feel remembered, appreciated, and cared for. Through something as simple as a warm batch of cinnamon rolls, she reminded others that sometimes the greatest acts of love are found in the smallest gestures. For those who were lucky enough to enjoy them, their memory will forever bring a smile and a reminder of her generous heart.
In 2017, the same year she retired, Vicky was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Although the diagnosis brought new challenges, she continued to find reasons to enjoy life and make memories. Retirement gave her the opportunity to travel, experience new adventures, and spend time doing the things she loved. One of her favorite places was Port Aransas, where she enjoyed camping, meeting new people, and making new friends. She even tried her hand at pickleball, embracing the opportunity to learn something new. Vicky’s life was not defined by her illness, but by the determination to keep living, loving, laughing, and finding joy in the days she was given.
Above all else, Vicky cherished her family. She is survived by her daughter, Kristi (H.P.) of Brownfield, Texas; her son, Keith (Cindy) of Celina, Texas; her sisters, Janis Fought of Tucumcari and Susan Mitchell (Roy) of Roy; and her grandchildren, Cassidy, Colby, Kinlee, and Levi. She also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who were blessed to know her and who will carry her memory in their hearts.
To her children, she was Mom-a source of love, comfort, and a lifetime of memories. To her grandchildren, she was a grandmother whose love will remain a part of them as they grow and make their own way in the world. To her sisters, she was family, a lifelong connection filled with shared memories and a bond that time cannot erase. And to her many friends, she was someone who could be counted on, someone who cared, and someone whose presence made a difference.
The loss of a mother leaves an emptiness that words can never fully express. There are so many moments that will be missed, so many conversations that will be wished for, and so many memories that will become even more precious with time. But a mother’s love does not end when her life on earth does. It remains in the lessons she taught, the traditions she created, the kindness she modeled, and the love she planted in the hearts of those who knew her. For Vicky’s family, her love will continue to be found in familiar places, in family gatherings, in the comfort of faith, and perhaps even in the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
A celebration of Vicky’s life will be held 10:00 am on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Melrose Methodist Church. She will be laid to rest near her beloved parents, Marvin and Crystell Terry, in San Jon, New Mexico, directly after the service in Melrose.
Though her family must now learn to live without her here, they can take comfort in the life she lived, the love she gave, and the faith she carried. Vicky leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured by years of service or the number of people she knew, but by the countless ways she made others feel loved, welcomed, and cared for. She spent her life giving to others, and now she rests in the arms of the Savior she loved. Her hands, which worked so hard, served so faithfully, and gave so generously, are finally at rest. Her earthly journey is complete, but the love she leaves behind will never fade.
She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
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