Blog 137: Mother of the Year

     The Herron Speaks Blog is delighted to designate Mrs. Terri J. McGhee as the 2013 “Mother of the Year.” Terri is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and reared in Fort Payne, Alabama.

     Terri attended Fort Payne High School and played flute in the marching band. Terri graduated from Fort Payne High School in 1983.  Terri was the first African American to become Valedictorian of Fort Payne High School.  After high school Terri attended Jacksonville State University.  She majored in Accounting and minored in Computer Science.  Terri graduated in the top 10% of her class in 1986.  While attending Jacksonville State University she caught the eye of a heavy set brother who later became her husband.  After graduation she moved to Birmingham, Alabama and started her career in banking and her life with that heavy set brother Anthony.

     Mrs. McGhee is the beloved wife of Anthony E. McGhee for 26 years. They are the parents of one son, Anthony “Travis” McGhee.

     “Terri is an outstanding mother.  Her wisdom and smarts have been passed on to Travis. He gets his looks from his dad, but his intelligence from his mom, ” says dad.  Travis is a recent college graduate from Winston-Salem State University (Summer 2012).  While attending WSSU, Travis majored in Occupational Science in which he hopes to become a Physical Therapist.  He is currently employed with the school and hopes to start graduate studies in the fall of 2013.

     Mrs. McGhee taught Sunday school at her home church in Alabama and has volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte on several occasions.  Terri is currently employed with Bank of America as aFinance Manager/Controller - Consumer Bank Technology & OperationsFinance Manager/Controller - Consumer Bank Technology & OperationsFinance Manager/Controller - Consumer Bank Technology & Operations SVP Financial Manager / Controller for the Technology and Operations group.  Terri works with the Greeters Ministry on the second Sunday at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte.

     Brother McGhee was filled with complimentary words for his wife. He said, “I am very lucky to have a wonderful woman like Terri as my wife.  She completes me and has been a wonderful mother to our son. Terri is a caring and loving person who will give the shirt off her back to a friend in need. She has been my biggest supporter and most importantly my best friend. As a mother and wife, Terri  always puts our family first.”

     “Terri is my BIG FACE GIRL and the love of my life. Terri is not only ‘Mother of the year’ or ‘wife of the year,’ she is Queen of my life and most importantly the love of my life. Congratulations on being selected as ‘Mother of the Year.’ I love you forever and one day.”