Arthur, Terry Arney
Terry Arney Arthur, of Blacksburg, was born April 18, 1953 to Robert and Ruby Arney who predeceased her along with her older brother Bobby. She moved to her eternal home on April 8, 2020; by her side were her husband and children who she loved dearly.
Terry leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 45 years, Sean, her sons Jon and Rob, her daughter Emily and grandchild Jackson. A loving memory is also shared by her brother Doug, sister Betty, and many nieces and nephews on both the Arney and Arthur sides of the family.
Her lifelong priorities were to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, her Family, and her Friends. Her Christian actions, displayed through her worship, commitment to her church, and the sharing of her beliefs were a testament to her love for the Lord and all others. Terry was a faithful member of Blacksburg Christian Church where she taught Sunday school, served as Board Chair and presided over numerous church committees.
Terry was a devoted wife to her husband, Sean, and was a loving mother to her three children, Jon, Emily and Rob. She perceptively nurtured her husband’s Christian beliefs and his understanding of what Love was really about. She reared her children in a warm, caring and affectionate atmosphere. When it came to her family, harsh words were not in her vocabulary, only word of encouragement, love and a steadfast guidance that reflected her morals and beliefs. She was the model wife and mother.
Terry also played the piano and organ at Blacksburg Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for more than 35 years. Her interest in music was evident as a pre-teen, and at which time she began playing the piano at her hometown church in Morganton, N.C. She studied Music and History at UNC-Greensboro where she received her BA in History.
Terry and Sean were married on January 4th, 1975. In 1979 they moved to West Lafayette, IN where she taught at Indiana Vocational Tech. While in Indiana, she received her Master’s degree from Purdue University in Guidance and Personnel. In 1983 she and her family (Sean, Jon and Emily) moved to Blacksburg, VA. Rob was born 3 years later. During the early years in Blacksburg, Terry was a “stay at home” mother who relished her time to guide and nurture her children during their most formative years, and to be involved in their daily activities. At the same time, her prominent involvement with the rearing of the children provided her husband, Sean, with the necessary flexibility to navigate the pre- and post-tenure structure at Virginia Tech.
Terry remained a “work at home” Mom until the youngest child (Rob) started the 1st grade at Margret Beeks Elementary School Elementary school. Even then she wanted to remain somewhat active in the her children’s lives and took a job as a “Writing to Read” aid at Margret Beeks Elementary School where her two youngest children, Rob and Emily, were still attending.
Only when all of the children were in Middle/High School did Terry begin to pursue her own professional development. Utilizing her Master’s degree, she accepted a job as Academic Advisor in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech. Needless to say, she also treated the students with the same endearing attitude afforded to her husband and children. She remained as academic advisor in the Department of Computer Science until her retirement 17 years later. During her time in Blacksburg, Terry was also an active member and ardent supporter of the P.E.O Organization and the Virginia Tech Women’s Club.
As all will attest, Terry lived by the passage “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There will be a private family graveside service. Memorials in Terry’s name can be made to the Blacksburg Christian Church.
Kathy Bingham Powell
April 9, 2020 @ 7:26 pm
I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Terry’s passing. Seems like only yesterday that we walked the halls of Morganton High School together. Terry was truly an example of Christianity even as a teenager. Even though our paths grew apart after graduation, she remained in my thoughts often. We shared a childhood love for the Chesterfield community even though our lives carried us to far away places. Thank you Doug for a beautiful tribute to Terry’s life. My prayers are with you and the rest of the family. My heart is broken and I can only imagine the pain you are experiencing. Please know that we love you all and will keep you close to our hearts through prayers. Take care.
Love, Kathy Bingham Piwell
Leslie Pendleton
April 10, 2020 @ 9:12 am
I was heartbroken to see Terry’s obituary this morning. She, Sean, and I were colleagues at Virginia Tech for a long time. And, occasionally we would chat when seeing each other out walking our dogs around the neighborhood where we once lived not too far from each other. After reading Terry’s obituary, I now fully understand why she was always a model of empathy and professionalism and so well respected by her students and colleagues. I know how much she loved her family and how excited she was at the birth of her first grandchild. It pains me to think about the grief and loss her family must be feeling right now. My thoughts and prayers are with them all during this very sorrowful time. RIP Terry.
Linda Fitzgerald
April 10, 2020 @ 10:48 am
Terry, you were my sunshine when I started back at Tech in CS💥. I will always remember our walks, your pep talks and how much we laughed about random things. I will NEVER forget how much fun we had when we were being a little “mischievious” with Greg’s picture that we gave to the graduating Sr. Ambassadors… We hooooted until our sides hurt terribly!!
You always reminded me some things are not so serious and don’t sweat the small stuff. I love you my precious friend. Until we see each other again.❤
Todd Stevens
April 10, 2020 @ 1:13 pm
I met Terry and their 3 little ones back in the ’80s when I was invited to dinner because I was one of Sean’s students. I got to know Terry much better as she joined the Computer Science Department and I could drop into her office to chat. I didn’t realize it was only 17 years because it seemed like I always knew her. I can say nothing better of a person than of their kindness. She was the kindest person I have ever known. I miss her. The world is less today without her.