Terry graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design in 1973. After working in commercial art for a few years, Terry pursued and received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Wichita State University in 1983, continuing to paint and sell her work independently in her spare time.

While a member of the Wichita Oil Painting Society, she won artist of the year in 2000. 

The year 2021 was a good year for Terry as she retired from nursing and won first place and Judges Choice in the professional Christmas category in Newton Presbyterian Manor’s “Art is Ageless” contest. Her work is currently displayed at the Newton Carriage Factory Gallery.