Terry Mize Shields entered heaven on August 24, 2026. She was born January 8, 1951, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Terry Walter Mize and Susie Bernard Beach Mize. Other than accepting Jesus as her personal Savior, she felt that having her two children, Susan Ragland Dexter and Ron Ragland Jr., was her greatest accomplishment in life.

She graduated from the University of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center with a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management/Medical Record Administration. She also attended graduate school at the University of Mississippi. Terry was a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Certified Public Manager (CPM).

Prior to moving to Georgia, Terry was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi, where she was an Acteens leader, taught Bible Drill and Vacation Bible School, and led children’s choir for many years. In Georgia, Terry was an active member of Smoke Rise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain. She was honored to be an ordained deacon, served on various committees and ministry programs, and led Bible studies for several years.

What did Terry want to be remembered for? Teaching her children about God.

Rather than flowers, Terry’s requests for others to do in her memory were:

• Write a letter to someone and tell them how they have had a positive effect on your life.
• Turn off electronics and talk to your children, grandchildren and others about their hopes and dreams. Have your children and grandchildren turn off theirs, too.
• Stop at all lemonade stands run by kids and brag about their product.
• Help a child write their letter to Santa and ask him for only three things.
• Most important of all, share Jesus with others through your attitude, your smile and your love.

Memorials may be made to Smoke Rise Baptist Church’s Families in Need Program, 5901 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30087.

Terry’s survivors include her husband, Joe Shields of Lawrenceville, Georgia; children, Susan Dexter (Joey Grise) of Monroe, Georgia, and Ron (Amy) Ragland Jr. of Prosper, Texas; grandchildren, Emma Dexter, Brady Dexter (Lexy Bray), Chase Dexter, Ronnie Ragland (Jade Kemph) and Abbey Ragland, and sister-in-law, Sarah (Bill) Jerome of South Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Terry and Susie Bernard Mize, and children, Richard Shields and Lee Shields.

She always said that she wanted her family and friends to celebrate her death, knowing she could now be with her Savior. It was her greatest wish that those she had known and loved would one day join her in Heaven.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. The family will greet friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Terry will be buried in Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi at a later date.