Terella Renie Church, age 67, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away the morning of Tuesday, July 2nd in her home after several years of health and addiction issues. Terella was born to Dorothy Frances Duemler Knox and Elliot “Lucky” Edmond Knox in Springfield, Missouri on November 8th, 1951 completing their family of five. Already present were big sister Concheta Knox (Lanpher) and big brother Elliot Paul Knox. Terella, or “Turk” as her family affectionately called her, graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1969 where she was a high stepping junior and senior twirler for the Hillcrest Highlanders. She went on to attend courses at what was then known as SMSU where she became a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and excelled in shorthand, a skill that carried her through the rest of her life. During her college years, she also starred in multiple performances at Springfield Little Theatre, including Gypsy, The King and I and The Sound of Music. Terella married her high school sweetheart, Richard Lee Hill in June of 1971 and together they had two daughters, Heather Angela Hill (Parson), born in 72’ and Brooke Allison Hill (Coleman) born in 76’. Terella and Richard divorced in 1979 and she relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada where she spent several years working behind the cage at Caesars Palace and had the opportunity to meet many famous people, her favorite being Frank Sinatra. On October 17th, 1980 and again on October 17th, 1987 Terella married the love of her life, Ronald Earl Church. Through ups and downs and sickness and health, they always found their way back to each other. Ron brought with him to the family three stepchildren that Terella embraced as her own; Randall Church, Carrie Church and Christopher Church (spouse Shira). Over the years, Terella and Ron went on many adventures taking them from Las Vegas to Kansas City, to Florida and Arizona, and always to their favorite lake spot on Table Rock before eventually finding their way back home to Springfield, Missouri where they settled in the family home. Terella is survived by her husband Ron, her daughters Heather Parson (spouse Devin) and Brooke Coleman (spouse Jack) as well as her three stepchildren Randy, Carrie and Chris Church (spouse Shira). She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Destiny Rose Murphy, Skylar & Luke Kirtley and Phoebe & Harley Church, as well as her sister Concheta Lanpher (spouse Harry), nieces Camille Kelly, Melanie Knox Donnell (spouse Mark), Jennifer Arnold Pilarski (spouse Dan) and nephew Paul Stringer and many other friends, family and loved ones. Terella was an accomplished racquetball and softball player who also enjoyed gardening, reading and writing poetry. She attended Northside Christian Church and had recently made arrangements to be rebaptized. Terella could out fish your grandfather and knew how to play a mean hand of poker. She loved her grandchildren, her dog, her husband and her family fiercely. She wasn’t much of a cook, but she had a great sense of humor and never missed an opportunity to dress up. Her smile and laughter were contagious and will be missed by many. She is joined in heaven by her beloved parents, Frances and Lucky Knox and her big brother Elliott. The family will be holding a private service at CMH Facility in Bolivar on Saturday, July 6th at 2:00pm so that Ron can be present and pay his final respects to his beloved wife. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that a donation be made to the American Cancer Society where Terella retired from after many years of dedicated service.