12/14/07
Teresa Pentecost Thomas 1948-2007.
Teresa was born December 1O, 1948 in Madison County, TN. As a young girl she moved with her family to Whitehaven, TN. She attended Whitehaven High School where she was a cheerleader and was very active in school plays. Her home was always a warm place with many friends and lots of laughter. Her family was strong in the faith, and she attended Whitehaven Baptist Church.
She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and was a founding member of Epsilon Lambda chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority; those friendships have endured to this day. Teresa and Tommy met on Thanksgiving Day, 1967 in Lexington, KY, and were married September 13, 1969. That marriage of love and friendship lasted until she quietly and peacefully slipped from Tommy's arms into the hands of God on Christmas Day.
Teresa had four wonderful children: Chris, Donna, Melanie and Scott. They comforted her, admired her and loved her with all their heart. She was an inspiration to her family. Donna's son Zachary was a source of immense joy to his grandmother. Chris and his wife Kristi were blessed with a baby girl, Kendall, on December 22. Teresa was thrilled to be able to hold her new granddaughter while she was in the hospital.
A life-long educator, Teresa taught in the Knoxville, Memphis, and Shelby County school systems. She loved children and was Germantown Elementary School's Teacher of the Year in 2004. Over 38 years, she touched the lives of countless children with great creativity and love.
After moving to Pickwick, Teresa immersed herself in her love for nature. She earned her Master Gardener's certificate just days before she passed away. She loved the time she was able to spend taking photographs in the state park and on "her" gravel road.
She will be missed greatly by all of her family and friends, but her strength, courage and dignity in her time of illness will be an inspiration to all who knew her.
Teresa spent much time "in the garden" with her walk with God. She was comforted by His words, and His blessings were bountiful, and His mercy was great. Without a doubt, Teresa Pentecost Thomas found "Victory in Jesus!"