Terry Coltharp

Terry E. Coltharp age 64 left this earthly home on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Windsor Place with her husband by her side.

On November 11, 1955 Jerry Post and Dortha (DeMott) Post welcomed their daughter into this world in Coffeyville, Kansas.  Terry, her parents and sister Elaine resided in Coffeyville.  Her parents divorced and her mother remarried Howard Welch, he loved her and her sister like his own as they loved him as their Dad.  Of that union Terry and Elaine gained a stepsister, Janice. Terry and her family moved to Cherryvale where she completed her elementary and high school education.

After completing high school Terry married Kent Harper, shortly after their union they moved to South Carolina.  Of that union two children were born, a son Jason and a daughter Misty.  The couple later divorced.  While in South Caroline Terry completed dental assistant training and found a love for sign language.  Her passion for sign language was a gift from God, she used to talents to help the deaf and their families.  After the divorced and she with her two children moved back to Cherryvale.  Sometime after returning to Cherryvale, Terry met Steven Coltharp and they were united in marriage on February 26, 1981, together they made their home in Cherryvale, prior to moving to Independence.   Terry worked as a dental assistant in Independence for several years and later she became an interpreter for deaf students in Coffeyville and signed sermons at Tyro Christian Church for several years.

Terry loved and cherrished her grandsons, Christopher and Frankie.

Terry was not a victim directly of COVID-19 but, because of restrictions in the nursing home where she and Steve resided, she was a victim due to the isolation from her family and the public.

Terry’s son Jason felt his sister Misty did an excellent job expressing what he couldn’t put into words. Over the years many have expressed that Misty looks just like her Mom.  With Misty’s permission, Jason wanted to share these words:

COVID-19 you Suck! It’s because of you I couldn’t be there to say goodbye.

The last time I got to be with my mom and see her I remember watching her sleep and thinking “I don’t want to take a picture of her like this, but I need to”. In my heart I felt a gut wrenching pull that this would be the last time I would see her. And it was.  I’ve only shown that picture to three people- and I can’t bring myself to look at it now, but I know how her heart ached to be at home with her mama and with the Lord. She’s celebrating pain free for the first time in YEARS with the two of them right now.

My mom leaves a beautiful legacy of love. Love for her husband as she cared for him until her illness allowed her to no more. Love for her children- myself and my brother- all she left wanting was reconciliation between he and I. Love for her mama who she missed and longed for more time with. Love for her sister who I have a tremendous amount of love, respect and gratitude for her in the care that she has so selflessly provided all these years for the two of them and continues to do so. Aunt Elaine I’m forever indebted to your sacrificial care for mom. Love for all the friendships she made through the years. Love for all her family and most importantly Love for her Lord and Savior. Oh, how she longed for her church. There was a hole left in her heart when she was told she could no longer physically attend and be with her church family.

Hospice said that hearing is usually the last to go. They said they believed she was waiting for my brother and I to tell her goodbye. I was able to talk to her- I pray she heard my heart through the tears. She passed shortly after.

You fought your fight well Mom- May your eyes be fixed forever on the Glory of our Sweet Savior and Lord. I Love You.

Saturday March 28, 2020, my mom heard those blessed words “Well done thy good and faithful Servant” as she entered His Kingdom- her forever Home.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

This life is fleeting, and tomorrow is not promised. A forever kingdom is though if your faith and trust are rooted in the beauty of Christ Jesus.

Terry was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Steve; son, Jason Coltharp and his girlfriend Crystal Tucker; daughter, Misty and her husband Frank Majka; grandchildren, Christopher and Frankie; sister, Elaine Lain and step-sister Janice Golden; a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Private family services will be held under the direction of Potts Chapel of Independence, Kansas and burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery also in Independence.  The family has request memorial contributions be made payable to either Tyro Christian Church, PO Box 307, Tyro, Kansas 67364 or to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 2404 W. 8th, Coffeyville, KS 67337.  In this uncertain time and social distancing please visit www.pottsfuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence.