A Friendly, Positive Presence Who Left Us Too Soon

by Karen Plourde, Editor, Weavers Way Shuttle

Terry poWell chose to be kind and his coWorkers at Weavers Way, along with shoppers, remembered the veteran cashier for his warmth and attentiveness after his sudden death on May 15 at age 65.

Longtime Mt. Airy cashier Stephanie Johnson, who worked alongside Terry every Friday, recalled how he’d give her a nature-based gift every week — a flower he’d picked in spring or summer; a pinecone, interesting rock or something else at other times of the year.

“Last Easter, he brought me a quail egg,” she said. “And then one Easter, he brought me an egg that his mother painted…. he was so loved…I looked forward to Fridays, because I knew I was gonna be with my Ter-Ter.”

On May 19, her first Friday working without him, Stephanie struggled as she approached the store for the start of her shift, then got emotional once she got to the registers. But she was relieved to be working alongside fellow cashier Andrea Saldutti.

“I didn’t have to explain that this was not gonna be a good day for me,” she said, tearing up. “…I was so glad to see Andrea, I just hugged him. He said, ‘It’s ok; I’m here as your friend. I’m here to help you, ‘cause I know this is gonna be a hard day.’”

Sarah Risinger, manager of the wellness department at Across the Way, agreed that Terry was beloved by colleagues and shoppers — including the furry shoppers who frequented ATW’s pet department.

“Terry loved animals, especially his cat, Bean, and enjoyed

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Terry Powell