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The Life of Terry Lee Buckles
Terry Lee Buckles, 81, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at his home surrounded by family, after battling an extended illness.
Terry was born to Basil Wesley Buckles and Virginia Akard Pierce Buckles on August 31, 1941. He was raised on Willow Springs Road, where he later returned in 1977 and lived for the rest of his days with his family. Terry was a graduate of Unaka High School, Class of 1959.
Terry was married to his high school sweetheart, Georgia Katherine White, on June 24, 1961, at the home of Georgia’s parents. Together, they raised three children, Tammy, Curtis and Kent Buckles. They built a beautiful life in the Carter County community.
Terry was a hardworking, Christian man who touched many lives in the community and beyond. He was a member of Hunter First Baptist Church for many years, and then Lynn Valley Baptist Church until he passed. His first employment was with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C. and then for Kingsport Press for 33 years. He opened his own business, Larry & Terry’s Collision Shop, in 1970. Terry’s love of automobiles and talent for restoring them was a big part of his life and he loved going to car shows in his free time.
Terry is survived by his wife, Georgia, and their children, Tammy Buckles Wilson, Curtis Buckles, Kent Buckles and Laura Tester; grandchildren,Leah and husband Stuart Williams, Lukas Wilson, Garrett Buckles, Ryan Buckles and Brandon Buckles; great-grandchildren, Ella and Jackson Williams; and many other beloved family and friends.
Terry was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alfred “Big Alf” and Jane Buckles and Reverend John Pierce and Amanda Pierce, and his parents, Basil and Akard Buckles.
Terry’s life was celebrated at a graveside service at Buckles Cemetery at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, with Pastor Tim Tapp officiating. Active pallbearers, who were requested to assemble at the funeral home at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, were Lukas Wilson, Garrett Buckles, Ryan Buckles, Brandon Buckles, Stuart Williams, David Bowers, Keith Malone and Richard Guinn. Honorary pallbearers were John Allen, Bill Cooper, Melvin Nave, Dave Knot, Lawrence Hodge, Dennis Williams, Les Stevens, Lanny White, James Barry, Brendan Wright, Larry Bentley, Dewey Oliver, Kenneth Julian, Kenneth Miller, Paul O’Neal, Jim Lynch, Norman Haney Peters and Chris Schuettler. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Lynn Valley Baptist Church Building Fund, 1367 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The Buckles family wishes to thank Laura Tester, Norine Allen, Val Deaton, Geraldine Burrow, the nurses of Amedisys Hospice and Megan, Stacey, Emily and Melissa. Friends registered their presence at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Monday. Family and friends assembled at the funeral home at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Buckles family.