Terry and Virgenia Ashby, aged 53 and 54, were called home together on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Terry was born in Talihina, Okla., on December 1st, 1970 to Neal Ashby and Freda Colbert. Virgenia was born in Gainesville, Texas, on September 12th 1969 to Jose and Rosa Mendez. 
Terry graduated from Durant High School with the Class of 1989 where he played baseball and basketball before attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University on a basketball scholarship. He graduated with SOSU Class of 1993 with a Bachelors in Science and Physical Education and received his Masters of Education from Texas Women’s University with the class of 2003. Terry taught, mentored and coached in the Texas education system for 20 years before endeavoring to a role with Choctaw Nation in 2014. Terry’s most recent role with Choctaw Nation was that of Senior Manager of Operational Excellence Training. Terry enjoyed and had an incredible passion for Choctaw culture and traditions. Through his life he enjoyed hobbies including archery and hunting.
Virgenia graduated from Gainesville High School with the Class of 1988. She was employed with Gainesville ISD for more than 20 years before becoming an impactful employee at Abigail’s Arms assisting families in need prior to employment with Chickasaw Nation in 2019, eventually taking a role as a Benefits Specialist, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Virgenia most loved time spent with her family, morning coffees catching sunrises, finding “sweet” deals at thrift stores and gardening.
Terry and Virgenia met working together at Gainesville Junior High and began dating in 2011 and married on November 14, 2020. After some time as Gainesville residents, they found home in the Oklahoma country between Ardmore and Madill, where there you could always count on a welcoming hug, making new friends from the strays they’d take in, a hot cup of coffee and likely some food for the road. The Ashby home was the place of coming together for all things big or small. Together they lived a life led by love, compassion, kindness and a grand emphasis on family. They also enjoyed thrifting together, attending pow wows and late nights watching USA Network.
Terry and Virgenia are survived by their children: Geoffrey Ashby, Kirsten (Ashby) Harrison, Grady Harrison, Jose Garcia, Cecilia Garcia, Carlos Garcia, Melany Oropeza, Jazmyn Conejo, Esau Pedroza, Carlos Munoz, and Kailyn Gutierrez, and grandchildren: Kaydence Pedroza, Hatcher Harrison, Everly Edwards, River Ashby, Porter Harrison, Otto Harrison, Olivia Carpentier, Adrian Munoz, Leilani Munoz and baby Munoz expected in August.
Memorial services to celebrate Terry and Virgenia’s lives will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Victory Life Church in Durant. Officiants will be Pastors Jesse Pacheco, Dennis Stephens, and Waylon Tom. Honorary pallbearers will be the Yellow Hill Gourd Society, Chris Ashby, Chad John, Travis Davis, Anthony Martinez, Roland Branton, Paul Mendez, Rafael Garcia, Carlos Garcia, Esau Pedroza, Robert Robledo, Luis Villalobos, Noe Robledo, and Carlos Munoz. 
Terry and Virgenia’s family will receive friends on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Brown’s Funeral Home in Durant.
**In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in memory of Terry and Virgenia to Abigail’s Arms Cooke County Family Crisis Center P.O. Box 1221 Gainesville, TX 76241 or Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter 2501 N. Weaver St. Gainesville, TX 76241.
Ruth 1:16 “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay”
“Chi pisa la chike”- “Until we meet again”
Arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service.
