Terry Jean Real Wallace
1/25/1943 - 9/13/2025

Terry Jean Real Wallace of Kerrville, 82, passed away on September 13, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, where she was surrounded in love by her family and dear friends. Terry was born in San Antonio to Hugo Hermann Real and Ethelyn "Billie" Elton Kellam on January 25, 1943. Terry married James "Jim" Astor Wallace on November 29, 1969, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, and they remained married for 44 years until Jim's death.

Terry attended the historic one-room Turtle Creek schoolhouse, and then Tivy Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. She was in National Honor Society, and played alto saxophone in the Tivy High School band. After high school, Terry attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, where she became an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha. After one year, she transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, with an emphasis on special education and reading, and a minor in psychology. Terry taught elementary students in Houston, Midland, and Ingram.

Terry grew up on her family cattle, sheep, and goat ranch (the Hugo Real Ranch), where her father was a rancher. During this time, she fell in love with the pastures and the animals, and enjoyed nature and the land. These values were fostered throughout her life. Her livelihood was honoring the land of her forefathers and the ranching life. She treasured her Real family heritage deeply, and always enjoyed the relatives at many reunions, weddings, and gatherings. Terry also greatly loved her Swayze relatives, and spent memorable times with her Aunt Jean and Uncle Prentice. Billie, Jean, and Terry had great trips to Joske's and Frost Brothers in San Antonio, where they made special memories. She spent formative years at the rock house near Harper road with Jim (cousin), Aunt Jean and Uncle Ten (Prentice). Special times were had with the extended Swayze family at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Terry was close to husband Jim's family, David and Linda Wallace (brother and sister-in-law), and she adored her three nieces, Julie, Courtney, and Jennifer. The Wallace families had fun times at the ranch and in Houston.

When Terry met her future husband in 1966, Jim was a pharmacist working at Hart's Pharmacy in Kerrville. Terry mentioned how kind, smart, and witty Jim was when they met. Terry and Jim were lifelong best friends and Terry loved Jim dearly. Jim and Terry lived in Houston for several years where they both worked. Jim worked at St. Joseph's Hospital and Terry taught third grade elementary school. They relocated back to Kerrville after their daughter Elizabeth was born in order to be nearby to Hugo and Billie and be able to live on the family ranch and assist with ranching operations. Later, she became a stay-at-home mother and raised her two children, Elizabeth and Thomas. Terry was involved with Junior Service Guild, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers (former president), Hill Country Cattle Women (honorary member), Women's Aglow, Bible Study Fellowship, Home Demonstration Club, Turtle Creek Sewing Circle (honorary member), and was co-founder of Children's Corner. She stayed active in the community in later life.

Terry was a devoted Christian woman. She regularly attended Grace Bible Chapel and Turtle Creek Community Church. She was baptized in the Presbyterian church, where she went to youth group as a teenager. She read the bible often, and was part of many church services and retreats. Jim and Terry spent time assisting with missionary work in Mexico through Grace Bible Chapel.

Terry's hobbies included cooking, painting, and making wreaths. She would often have fresh wildflower bouquets in her home, where she was a hospitable host to many parties and gatherings. Picnics by the creek were one of her specialties where she would invite friends or family. She always wanted to share her family ranch with loved ones.

Terry Wallace was preceded in death by James Astor Wallace (husband); Hugo Real (father); Ethelyn Real (mother); Natalee Wallace (mother-in-law); Joseph Wallace (father-in-law); Linda Wallace (sister-in-law); Prentice Swayze (uncle); Jean Swayze (aunt); Jim Swayze (cousin); Real aunts and uncles.

Survivors include Elizabeth Wallace-Peters and Matt Peters (daughter and son-in-law) and their children Zack and Ava; Thomas and Annaliesa Wallace (son and daughter-in-law) and their children Camille and Lane; David Wallace (brother-in-law); Julie Mize (niece); Courtney Schisler (niece); and Jennifer Romig (niece).

Visitation will be 4-6 PM, Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Grimes Funeral Chapels.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 AM, Friday, September 26, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church, officiated by Frankie Enloe. The service will be followed by a reception at Ryan Hall.

Donation/memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to Turtle Creek Community Church. Checks can be mailed to Turtle Creek Community Church, 130 Molina Dr S, Kerrville, Texas, 78028.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Anil Singh, Dr. Wong, Providers at Home, Good Shephard Hospice San Antonio, Juniper Village staff, Methodist Specialty Hospital.

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