Johnnie Mae (Register) Terry

Mrs. Johnnie Mae Register Terry was born May 2, 1917 to Aaron and Donnie Register in Houston County, Alabama. She was converted at an early age and joined Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Campbellton, Florida.

In 1938, Johnnie Mae moved to Newark, New Jersey to make a better life for her son, William McKinney (son of Harry McKinney, Sr.) and her nephew, Roy Boone. She attended college and earned credentials in nursing. She later landed her dream job as Chief Nurse at Willowbrook State School, New York City, New York. In the early 1950’s, Johnnie Mae met and married Thomas Terry.

She retired from the State of New York in 1973, moved back to Dothan, Alabama, built her home and became caregiver to her parents and others as well. She loved taking care of others and also worked as a Patient Sitter for several years. To her family, she was affectionately known as “Love” and “Other Mother”.

In 1993, Johnnie Mae moved her church membership to Browntown Community Church, Graceville, Florida, where she was essential in building the church, along with her brother, Samuel Register and sister-in-law, Willie C. Register. She literally mortgaged her home to provide funds to build the church and was repaid in full at the end of construction. She became known as “Mother Terry” and served at Browntown Community Church until her health no longer allowed.

She was a faithful member of the Melodious Chapter #107, Order of the Eastern Star in Dothan, Alabama.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Aaron and Donnie Register; her son, William McKinney; her siblings: Aaron Register, Jr., Samuel Register, Willa Register, Thomas Register, and Autry Mae Register; grandson: Jonathan Davis.

On Saturday, December 28, 2019, Mother Terry transitioned from this life to her eternal life with our Heavenly Father. She was blessed to walk on this earth for 102 years.

She leaves to cherish her memories: grandchildren: Joyce E. Jeffries, Patrice McKinney, Cassandra Cureton (Larry) all of Newark, New Jersey, Michelle Davis (Nathaniel) of Cocoa, Florida and Siqueeta Harris of Dothan, Alabama; eleven great grandchildren; nineteen great-great grandchildren; two great-great-great grandchildren; a special niece: Christilla Godwin and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Special acknowledgement to her caregivers: Ruby Jewel Anderson, Jacqueline Faulk Glover of Dothan, Alabama, Gwen Baker of Abbeville, Alabama and the staff of Day Spring Hospice of Dothan, Alabama.

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