Cleva “Edwina” Terry Petrie, 86, formerly of Farmington, Kentucky, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Braybrook Assisted Living in Hudson, Florida.
Edwina was born on February 8, 1940, in Cunningham, Kentucky, to the late Henry M. Terry and C. Gerleen “Jerri” Terry. She graduated from Carlisle County High School and went on to graduate from Murray State University in 1962. During her final year of college, she was expecting her daughters, Sherri and Terri, a chapter of her life that provided many stories for her family to enjoy over the years. She later taught music and physical education in elementary schools throughout the surrounding counties.
Edwina loved Jesus and was a Spirit-filled believer whose faith held an important place in her life. She was a member of New Life Church and dearly loved her church family, even when declining health prevented her from attending.
Her love of music began in childhood, in a home where her mother played the piano and the family enjoyed singing together. She fondly recalled her father asking her to play while he and her mother sang along, even when she could only pick out the notes with one finger. Those early memories grew into a lifelong love of playing the piano. She filled her own home with classical music and especially loved Southern gospel, attending performances whenever groups came nearby.
Edwina loved to laugh, dance, and make those around her smile. Often remembered as the life of the party, she brought joy to gatherings with family and friends. Her surprise 70th birthday celebration was a particularly happy memory, as she danced and danced. She treasured her friendships and was the kind of devoted friend who inspired that same love and loyalty in return.
A hard worker, Edwina spent her years on the family farm gardening, canning, cooking, and helping her husband care for the cows. Family meant so much to her, and she looked forward to attending yearly reunions. She dearly loved her brothers and her three daughters, whom she encouraged and supported as their biggest cheerleader. She also enjoyed reading and gathering around the table for a game of cards. High Nine was a longtime family favorite, while Go Fish brought her enjoyment during the last year of her life.
Edwina is survived by her three daughters, Terri (Robert) Galloway of Florida, Sherri (Kenny) Gibson of Florida, and Cindi (Andrew) Gullixson of Paducah, Kentucky; one brother, Bobby Terry of Calvert City, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Nakiah Gibson, Bobby (Robin) Galloway, and Dr. Ashley (Ryan) Gullixson; three great-grandchildren, Jimmy Gibson, Trey Galloway, and Trent Alcorn.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Garth Petrie; one sister, Nelda Terry; one brother, Donald Terry; and one grandson, Alexander Garth Lambert Gullixson.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, with Pastor Michael Pickens officiating. Burial will follow at Old Mayfield Creek Cemetery in Bardwell, Kentucky.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be held from noon until the service hour of 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions in Edwina’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
