Terry Lou (Gray) Yost

Terry Lou (Gray) Yost, age 76, of Lizella, Georgia, passed into the arms of our Lord in the morning hours of February 16, 2022.

Terry was born December 23, 1945, in LaFayette, Georgia, and was the first of five children of the late Newton and Eloise (Davenport) Gray. Growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Terry graduated from Brainerd High School, where she was a majorette and a top student. She was a loving wife for over 35 years to Richard Yost, whom she married in 1986. In addition to her husband, Terry is survived by her five children, Zahra, Scarlet, Yasmine, Reece, and Zandt; their spouses, Bruce, Aaron, Steve, and Louise; ten grandchildren, Elise, Marilee, Azuree, Beau, Haleigh, Alex, Zayna, William, Aryana, and Lilah, and one great-grandchild Roran. Terry is also survived by two of her brothers: Elgin and Ross; and one sister, DeLila. She was predeceased by her younger brother, Lewis, and her first husband, Dr. Mehdi Sheikholeslam.

Terry was a lifelong learner dedicated to education. She attended Jacksonville State University and the University of Texas at Arlington to study childhood education before opening a Montessori School in Bonham, Texas. In addition, Terry was the top graduate in Architectural Drafting at Northwestern Technical College in Walker County, Georgia.

Terry was passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, especially children. She founded Hopewell Academy, in Lizella, Georgia, where she led a team of teachers who taught hundreds of children from across Middle Georgia for more than 20 years. Terry was also the founder and leader of Troop 77, a Girl Scout troop for underprivileged girls in LaFayette, Georgia for many years.

Terry loved her country and was proud of the military service of her family over many generations to include her father, her husband, and her children and siblings, as well as decorated combat veterans. When not working, throughout her life, Terry spent her time on her many passions, including music, raising horses and goats, and numerous crafts and sewing. She also enjoyed attending military functions, dance recitals, band concerts, wrestling, track, cheerleading, and cross country meets throughout high school, college, and beyond in support of her children, grandchildren, and students.

Terry was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and students. A private service will be held this week, with a celebration of life to be scheduled in the future. Online condolences may be expressed at https://www.communityfcs.com/obituary/Terry-Lou-Gray-Yost.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Community Funeral & Cremation Services, 8340 Eisenhower Parkway, Lizella, Georgia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following charities:

Girl Scouts https://www.girlscouts.org/en/support-us/invest/donate/donate-now-gsusa-council.html

or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

https://heroes.vfw.org/page/34429/action/1