Dr. William C. Terral's Obituary
Dr. William Carter Terral, practicing physician for 60 years, departed this earth and entered into his heavenly home on December 2, 2009 at 8:00 PM. He was 84 years old. Upon graduating from medical school and then completing training in family medicine, he opened his practice (the only doctor in town) in Farmerville, Louisiana (the place of his birth). There was no hospital there within 35 miles, so he soon established his own 12 bed hospital where he met his patients medical and surgical needs. Dr. Terral joined the U.S. Army Medical Corp and served two years in France. Upon completion of his tour of duty, he began his pediatric residency at L.S.U. Charity Hospital. He and his family remained in New Orleans where he practiced Pediatrics until 1991, at which time he joined his son, Dr. William L. Terral in his practice in Covington. Dr. Terral’s collective medical files encompass 4 generations of patients. Having an insatiable appetite for knowledge, made him an avid reader. His extraordinarily retentive mind preserved for him an encyclopedia storehouse of knowledge. One of his greatest joys was sharing his plethora of information with anyone who would sit down and listen. Choose the subject! He could teach/preach on politics, the economy, history, the wars (all of them), etc. etc. Next to having a good listener, he was never happier than when working in his garden. His Hibiscus plants (his favorite) were spectacular! Although steeped in all the traditional “tried and true” methods of gardening, he was also known to implement some innovative and not so conventional methods of his own. Having collected a few bags of discarded plasma, he hung them high above his prized hibiscus plants and administered this life enhancing potion into the soil. Observation: the blooms were larger than ever! Dr. Terral is survived by his wife Doris Foto, whom he married in 1995. He is survived by his sons, Dr. William L. Terral, Mark Scott Terral, David “Brett” Terral, Brett’s wife Lizette Monelzon Terral, Dr. Thomas Gregory Terral, Gregg’s wife Lori Blakely Terral. He is also survived by the mother of his children and wife of 47 years, Lylen “Mitty” Terral. Their daughter Jann Terral Ferris preceded her father in death on June 23 of this year. Jann’s husband Gray Flowers Ferris preceded them both in death on June 13 of 2008. As his children enriched his life immeasurably, so did his grandchildren. They are Dr. Lylen Ferris Swiericzuk, her husband, Michael Swiericzuk, Rev. Jason Ferris, his wife Rebecca Marshall Ferris, Thomas Terral, Grayson Terral, Annie Terral, Lauren Terral, Megan Terral, David Terral, Carter Terral, Blakely Terral, Hayden Terral and Elise Terral. His great grandchildren are: Nathan Swericzuk and Ruby Swericzuk. Two granddaughters preceded him in death: Katherine Terral in 1995; and Shelby Ferris in 1999. Mignon Terral Pratt of Ruston, LA is Dr. Terral’s one remaining sibling. Dr. Terral’s mother was Rosa Cherry Terral, his father Thomas Fontain Terral. His deceased siblings are: Dorothy Terral Rabb, Dr. Forrest Terral, Rannie Terral, Edna Terral Lawhon and John Terral. Dr. Terral will be sadly missed by the myriad of friends, patients, colleagues, fellow workers and family – whose hearts he touched in such a profound way. The family especially would like to mention two nurses, whose devotion was legendary: Bertha Baptiste and Linda Gainey. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the memorial service at First Baptist Church, 16333 Hwy 1085, Covington, LA 70433 on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 11:00 AM followed by a fellowship gathering.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
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