Terrell Taylor Haws

Terrell Taylor Haws, also known as “Terry” to most, embraced the life she was given and anyone who was arms-length away. A more appropriate name for her would be “The Expert Hugger or Hug-ologist.” A quote that says it best …”I need one of those long hugs where you kind of forget whatever else is happening around you for a minute.”

Terrell was born in Safford on June 21, 1950 to the late Douglas Farr Taylor and May Louise Weech Taylor. She was the third of five children, Doug, Vernell, Terry, Weston and Kristi. She returned home to live with her Heavenly Father surrounded by her family, Monday, March 4, 2019 in Chandler at the age of 68.

Terry was married to L. John Haws on March 31, 1972 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Her greatest joy was when she became a mother to her 8 children, Shannon, Charmayne, Brit, Sherry, Nick, Shelley, Shaunae, and Shayde. She made mothering seem so grand; her daughters wanted to follow in her footsteps of achieving the title of “Mother”. Her fun-loving juvenile behavior made her easy to relate to and allowed her to go roller-skating with her grandkids, white-water rafting, camping, paintballing and so much more. She never let age slow her down.

Terry and her family moved to St. Johns in 1979 where they currently still live. They embraced the tight community that exists in this quaint town. She has demonstrated her need for the community by bus driving your children for 20+ years, lifeguarding at the city pool for the same 20+ years, ridden in numerous floats for the 24th of July, entered baked good in the county fair, and shared her talent of her homemade ice cream and Mississippi mud pie.

Her children recall while playing the sport of their choice, Terry’s voice was easily heard no matter where they were on the field or on the court. She was not afraid to let everyone know that her child was playing. She was our biggest fan and we were never embarrassed by her expressive and over exuberant way of cheering. The grandchildren of Terry experienced the same type of cheering from their grandmother. She has not changed one bit.

When you met Terry for the first time, she made you feel as if you belonged to her family just by the way she hugged you. “I love it when I hug someone, and just when I am about to let go, they hug me even tighter”. This was the lifelong legacy of Terry Haws; to bring you in a little tighter.

Terry is survived by her husband, John Haws, children, Shannon Dawn Burnes, Charmayne Haws, Brit Haws, Sherry Haws Yeaman, Nick Douglas Haws, Shelley Haws Miles, Shaunae Marie Pomeroy and 22 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Shayde Michael Haws.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. Johns Stake Center, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow the funeral services at the St. Johns Westside Cemetery.