Nelle Kennedy Stuart Terry

Nelle Kennedy Stuart Terry, 80, died peacefully Saturday, January 29, 2022, with loving family by her side. She was born June 13, 1941 in Lakeland, FL to Margrette Moore Stuart and William Hood Stuart, Sr. Nelle Kennedy was a loyal alumna of both Summerlin Institute (1959) and Erskine College (1963), where she received a bachelor’s degree in science. At Summerlin, Nelle Kennedy excelled academically and was involved with athletics and the arts. She devoted much of her time to cheerleading, swimming, theater, and the Glee Club. For many years, she enjoyed serving on the reunion planning committee. While at Erskine, she continued with singing and cheerleading, was involved with the literary society, and was Treasurer of her senior class. The time she spent there brought many cherished friendships and memories. Nelle Kennedy was a lifelong member of the Bartow Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. She greatly enjoyed her many years in the choir and involvement in the women’s ministry. The church's conference grounds at Bonclarken in Flat Rock, NC was a place very dear to her, from the days of her youth to later in life, where she served on their Board of Advisors. Raised in a Christian home, she learned early on to trust in God’s faithfulness. She was taught Scripture at a young age and became especially fond of the Psalms. Nelle Kennedy had a genuine interest in people. She was a natural encourager and always prayed faithfully for others. Nelle Kennedy had a gift of putting others at ease with her welcoming spirit and playful sense of humor. She delighted in laughing with family and friends frequently throughout her life. Though a businesswoman, her most cherished roles were those of mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband Jean "Blue" Terry, two brothers William H. “Bill” Stuart, Jr. and Edward Crosland Stuart, and step-son Vance Terry. She is survived by her son Tait Lane and wife Farrah, daughter Margrette Rhoden and husband Brad, stepdaughter Alison Terry, grandchildren Claudia, Caroline, Charlotte, and Sarah Catherine Lane, Blake and Haley Rhoden, Annie and Grace Yano, sister-in-law Nancy Stuart, other extended family, and her Erskine "Chums." Family will receive friends Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Friday, February 11, 2022, at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 205 E. Stanford Street in Bartow. Memorial gifts may be made to Bartow ARP Church or The Support Organization For Trisomy (SOFT). Condolences to the Family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com