Terry Lee Stickles, 64, “walked” into the gates of heaven on January 15, 2020, after a hard-fought victory that spanned many years.

Terry’s journey on this earth began on November 8, 1955, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to the late Argil Stickles and Opal Edwards Stickles. Terry has always been a storyteller, and those closest to him can recount many amusing “big fish” stories he retold on demand. He was raised to be an honest and hardworking person, and those virtues were character traits that he carried with him throughout his life. During his Ringer Hardware days, his path crossed with the woman who he knew would become his wife…much earlier than she did. On June 9, 1978, Terry married the love of his life, Shari Higdon at St. Joe General Baptist Church in Idalia, Mo. Terry never met a stranger and was always willing to give a helping hand which helped him not only while he worked at Ringer Hardware, but also in the several years he worked for Schwan’s, and then ultimately combining his knack for sales with his love of cars by being a salesman at Autry Morlan Chevrolet. All of which also served as a platform to share his testimony and his unyielding faith. Terry became an active member of St. Joe General Baptist Church in 1978 where he served in multiple capacities including as a trustee. To his daughters, Emily and Hannah, he was always the hero and could fix and do anything in their eyes. He was a teddy bear to them and was wrapped around their fingers; his gruff nature melted any time one would say, “I love you, Daddy”.

Known as “Stick” to his friends, he could frequently be found in the company of mischief with a grin in place. Never knowing what he was up to next, one could not help but smile as well.

To cherish these memories, Terry leaves behind his wife, Shari Stickles; two daughters and their spouses, Emily and Jonathan Sipp of East Prairie, Mo and Hannah and Tim Baldwin of Dexter, Mo; four grandchildren: Anna Grace, Sarah Beth, and Jackson Cade Sipp and Brittany Baldwin; his sister, Pearl Ashley; and many other family and friends.

When Terry sauntered through those pearly gates, he was greeted by both parents and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Thomas and Jan Higdon.

Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Jonathan Rice officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sadler Chapel Cemetery.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.