TERRI LYNN Age 50, a native of Albuquerque, NM since 1973, departed this life on Thursday, May 10, 2012. At the time she resided in DeSoto, TX. She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Marjorie; sisters, Sharon and Jennifer; aunts, Corinne Ingram, Rosa Clay, Marie Johnson, Wilda Graham, and Jill Battle; uncles, Michael Bartee and William Clay; as well as cousins and a host of friends. Terri was preceded in death by her father, Harry L. Toppin; nephew, Phillip H. Blair; grandmother, Inona Bartee; grandfather, Harry L. Toppin, Sr.; and grandparents, Otis and Lillie Clay. Terri retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel after 26 years of service. She was Deputy Director, of Strategic Planning and Partnerships, Army and Air Force Exchange Service. She was currently a civilian employee with the Exchange as the Vice President of Services and Vending Sales Directorate. She was an active member of the Professional Christian Women in Service Association. Terri was born at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1983 with a degree in University Studies. She also earned Masters Degrees in Public Administration and Strategic Studies from Troy State University in 1987 and from Air War College in 2002, respectively. Terri received her commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of New Mexico and entered the Air Force in 1983. She served in numerous leadership positions at bases and higher headquarters levels including Services Operations Officer, Chief, Housing and Services Branch, Chief of Services, and Air Officer Commanding, Squadron 33. Terri deployed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as Chief of Services in Masirah, Oman. She commanded the 39th Services Squadron at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and the 49th Services Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, New Mexico. Terri also served as Chief, Legislative Issues and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Policy, Headquarters Air Force and Director of Installation Policy in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Please join us to celebrate Terri's life on Saturday, May 19, 2012, 10:00 a.m., at French - Lomas Chapel, with Chaplain Chris LaPack officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Interment with military honors will be scheduled at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to National Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 824401, Philadelphia, PA 19182-4401 or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Please visit our online guest book for Terri at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd NE 505-275-3500
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