Terri Jean O'Kelley

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Terri Jean O'Kelley, who departed this world on June 16, 2024, while at home in North Augusta, SC with her loving family by her side. Born on September 4, 1955, in Homestead, FL, Terri was a remarkable individual who embodied so many roles. A cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, and “Goggie,” whose altruism, strength, and unwavering love touched all who were fortunate enough to know her. Whether catching up with a lifelong friend or meeting someone for the first time, Terri had a unique ability to make people feel immediately at ease, as if they had found "home" in her presence. In 1974, Terri met the love of her life, Phillip, and together they embarked on a beautiful journey. They married on April 2, 1977, forming an unbreakable bond and becoming each other’s greatest supporters. After welcoming their first child in 1978, Terri chose to become a stay-at-home mom, wholeheartedly dedicating herself to raising their children and nurturing their home and family. Over the next ten years, they were blessed with two more little ones and enjoyed a bustling house filled with delightful chaos. In 1990, Phillip's career brought the family of five to Columbia, SC, where they happily settled and created lasting memories for the next 22 years. Terri's free spirit and zest for life were not only captivating, but contagious. Everything she did, she did with passion. She brought joy and excitement to life’s ordinary moments and masterfully created lasting memories with her family through everyday tasks. She was a barrel-racing, plant-whispering, cat-napping queen and "hostess with the mostess," with a chronic and incurable case of boogie fever. Terri believed in living a full and well-rounded life, finding immense fulfillment in giving back and helping others. As a devout Christian with a servant’s heart, she put her faith into action by serving as a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church for more than a decade. With all of this and more, she truly was in a class of her own, touching countless lives with her fun-loving demeanor and abundant generosity. In 2019, after several years of seeking medical answers, Terri received the diagnosis of Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease. The news was both shocking and heart-wrenching, especially considering Terri had always epitomized good health. Despite the difficult days, Terri never succumbed to self-pity or avoided challenges. She faced the disease with remarkable strength, resilience, and positivity, which she maintained even in her final weeks, leaving everyone including her doctors and nurses, in utter disbelief. She had always been a force to be reckoned with, and she certainly proved this until the very end. Terri is survived by her loving husband, Phillip O’Kelley of North Augusta, SC; daughters Casie O’Kelley of Edgefield, SC, Katie Murphy (Robert) of Elgin, SC, and Kara Soles (Jacob) of Lexington, SC; grandchildren Laikyn and Logan O’Kelley, Ella, Charles, and Nolan Murphy, and Harper Soles; great-grandchildren Kyren and Iyra O’Kelley; and sisters Katherine Lamary, Nancy Marshall, and Tracy Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Irene Smith, and in-laws, Anne and Delma R. O’Kelley. Terri was the heart and soul of her family. She will be deeply missed but forever adored. To honor her journey and celebrate a life well-lived, a memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 3:00pm at FairHaven Funeral Home, located at 3507 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta, GA 30909. We invite all who knew her to join us in remembering this truly remarkable woman. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Terri’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online donations can be made at http://act.alz.org/goto/terri_okelley. If offline donation is preferred, checks should be made out to the Alzheimer’s Association and mailed to: Alzheimer's Association Attn: SC Gift Processing 4600 Park Rd, Ste 250 Charlotte, NC 28209