In Memory

On the 4th anniversary of Dr. Terrell's death, we share one of the many letters his wife received in the months after his death.


Dear Mrs. Terrell,

I wanted you to know what a precious influence Dr. Terrell had in my life and that of my family. As you may remember, I completed the McLeod Family Medicine residency [program]. Dr. Terrell's faith in Christ was such a part of his practice, he became my role model in my effort to integrate my faith and medicine.

The Bible studies we shared as residents with him in your home were particularly meaningful. I treasure and have kept to this day the complete set of his Journal of Biblical Medical Ethics. Dr. Terrell taught me that if we are not careful, much of what we do as physicians is temporary and fleeting, and often inconsequential. He inspired me to try to slow down and think about what I was doing and why I was doing it -- and to remember that my patients were eternal beings: mind, body, and spirit.

He showed me how to take a stand for what I believed in and to be bold in my faith even when it was uncomfortable -- to address the spiritual dimension with patients if they were open to this and to make an an eternal difference. That is the kind of doctor he was and the kind of teacher he was.

And he cared deeply. I will never forget a tender moment with him when he found out I had been named as a defendant in a medical malpractice case. I was still in my first year of residency at McLeod, brand new to the world of medicine. As I discussed my dilemma with him, I noticed his eyes moisten with perhaps some compassion for me -- no words were necessary -- I knew then how much he cared.

His influence endured into the next generation in our home. Let me share with you how much my 15 year-old daughter enjoyed her classes with Dr. Terrell at [our local Christian school]. He truly was her favorite teacher. He was a bit unconventional, and she really loved that. He taught her so much more than Biology. What a special gift to have him as her teacher!

I wish I could turn back the hands of time. Hilton called my wife one day, asking to come visit us during that year he was teaching [our daughter]. We were busy and the house was a mess -- we wanted to straighten up before he came. So, we put it off and let time go by... I wanted to show him my vegetable garden and fruit trees -- you know that he and I shared that interest in growing things. I wish we had him over with a messy house...

He meant a lot to our family -- I just wanted you to know.