Terry Sofley

Terry grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and dedicated much of her professional life to helping others. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Speech Education from Western Carolina University and a Master’s degree from Appalachian State University. She worked as a speech-language pathologist in schools and healthcare settings until becoming disabled and no longer able to work.

Terry was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Anne Terry Byars, and her father, Charles Byars. Although she never knew her father, her lifelong interest in genealogy led her to discover and connect with members of his family, which became a meaningful part of her later years.

Terry’s life was, at times, a difficult journey. She struggled with her mental health for many years and was diagnosed with dementia earlier this year. These challenges were only one part of her story. She was a complex and deeply human person, with her own interests, experiences, and relationships.

Terry is survived by her two children and their families, members of the extended family she discovered through her genealogy research, and friends whose lives she touched.

She will be remembered for her love of family, fascination with genealogy, dedication to education and communication, and the connections she made with others.

She was loved, she mattered, and she will be remembered.

Terry will be interred in the family plot at Hollywood Cemetery in Jackson, Tennessee on November 12th in an small private service.