Adja Terry

Adja N. Terry, was born May 4, 1923, in Raeford, NC to the late Phebia Austin and Willie James Austin. On October 29, 2018 she departed this life at St Joseph of The Pines.

She was reared in Moore County. In her early years, she was a member of John Hall Presbyterian Church, Carthage, NC. She attended Pinckney High School, Carthage, NC then furthering her education at MCI School, Bronx, NY.

After leaving North Carolina, Adja joined New Hope Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.; where she was baptized and sang on the choir. She relocated to Rye, NY and organized a children’s Bible Study for all races in Port Chester, NY. Later she was instrumental in organizing White Rock Baptist Church in Port Chester. This church grew to the point where the church was later moved to Mt. Vernon, NY and there she organized the junior and senior choir, where she served as president. The Lord Blessed and her group was able to purchase a larger church in Mt. Vernon, NY that would accommodate up to 500 people; she served as church clerk and Sunday School Teacher. In 1968 she was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Rev. Emanuel D. Terry.

In 1971, she and the late Rev. Terry moved to St. Petersburg Florida; she joined Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in 1975; there she taught Rev. L.S. McCree Kindergarten, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She served on the Deaconess Board, President of the Pastor’s Aide Club, President of the Senior Choir, Assistant Superintendent, and Inspirational Choir.

Adja’s work career included the following: Department of Social Services, White Plains, NY; Project In-Step, Pinellas Opportunity Counselor, Supervisor for the Outreach Workers, clerk typist, Housing Authority, as Activities Specialist, Global Health Care, also Case and Home Manager; Outreach Lunch Program, Mt. Zion Progressive Baptist Church; Office on Aging Human Resources Dept.; and Family Counseling Center. She also attended St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida, continuing her education in gerontology.

She received numerous awards to include; commorative award for her dedication as a teacher for God’s children; School Board of Pinellas County, Fla.; Home Aid, AARP- Minority Affairs Initiative; Housing Management. She was also a member of the 55 Plus Programs and Homecoming Program of Mt. Zion Progressive Baptist Church.

In 1997, she moved to Aberdeen, NC and joined St. John Baptist Church and was a faithful member where she sang on the choir, and was a substitute Sunday School Teacher. She always displayed a beautiful smile and a kind word for everyone. She loved to share words of wisdom for the youngster that she encountered.

She leaves to cherish her memory: one sister Margaret Chapman (Buford); one brother, Paul Austin (Juanita) of Forestville, MD.; Sister in-law; Marva Austin of Carthage. A host of niece, nephews, cousins, friends and relatives near and far; three God children Debbie Woodie and Jason Brown of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Paul Austin Jr. of Maryland.

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