Terry Lee (Parkinson) Cleveland, 77, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully and entered into Glory on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at Riverside Regional Hospital in Newport News, following complications from surgery.
Born on Jan. 22, 1948, in St. Louis, Mo., she was the eldest daughter of Gene Terrence Parkinson and Dorothy Jean Schenk Parkinson, who preceded her in death. Terry was known for her unwavering love, kind heart, infectious laughter, gentle spirit, beaming smile, loyal friendship, servant attitude and most of all her devotion to her family and her Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived a life of faith, and her love for the Lord was boundless.
Terry’s memory will be forever cherished by her husband of 40 years, the Rev. Kenneth Cleveland; daughter, Amanda Peters (Kevin); grandsons, Kalvin and Nolan Lee, brother Geary Parkinson (Karen); sister, Sheryl Ahern (Jon), as well as a loving aunt and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Terry enjoyed a special bond with her grandsons and all her nieces and nephews as well as her many great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom will lovingly remember receiving cards, scripture verses, $2 bills and Little Debbie cakes or special gifts at every birthday and holiday, including Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and any other cause for celebration that occurred to her.
Terry lived a life full of compassion, fun, adventure, travel and servanthood. She worked many years as a secretary at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, and enjoyed church and community volunteer work, including Suburban Junior Woman’s Club and Navy Relief. When she married career-Navy man Ken, his military service found them stationed in Subic Bay, Philippines; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Wallops Island.
Often flying to meet Ken’s ship(s) at various ports of call, Terry was able to visit Rio, Shanghai, Great Wall of China, Beijing, Venice, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Marseilles, Cannes, Naples and Hawaii. When Ken retired from the military and became a pastor, Terry seamlessly and joyfully transitioned into her role as much-loved pastor’s wife, serving at Stanleytown United Methodist Church in Stanleytown, and Clarksbury Church in Hardyville, where Ken and Terry were serving at the time of her passing.
In her last hours on earth, Terry showed immense strength as she valiantly clung to life until her siblings Geary and Sheryl and their spouses could travel from Culpeper and Virginia Beach, respectively, to join Terry’s husband, daughter and grandsons for final moments of sharing sweet memories, precious conversation and even last-minute selfless requests from Terry before she drifted into the arms of her Heavenly Father.
A celebration of life for Terry Cleveland is planned for 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Clarksbury Church, 15924 General Puller Highway, Hardyville. Memorial contributions may be made to Clarksbury Disaffiliation Fund, C/O the church or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.
Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda is assisting the family.
