The Pleasantville community graciously opened their hearts to the fine work that Mr. In December of 1938, Terry Funeral Home expanded and opened a second location in Philadelphia, PA. He successfully operated both sites from 1938 to 1943, when he then decided to transfer all business to Philadelphia. Terry wanted his funeral home to become a family affair. So in 1947, his lovely wife Francis E. Te
rry became a partner. Then, in 1960, his son Paul S. came into the business upon receiving his degree from Lincoln University; thus keeping up the family tradition (Paul Sr. also attended Lincoln University, class of '32). Thompson T. Terry, Paul S. Terry Sr.'s youngest son, joined Terry Funeral Home as the business administrator in 1967 after completing his studies at Penn State University (class of '65) and The American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, Inc. in New York City.The two sons continued to run Terry Funeral Home after the passing of their father in 1986. Terry, Jr. and Thompson T. Terry, Sr. gained the respect and admiration of the community by adhering to their motto, "Building Business on the Basis of Merit." They were always eager to share their knowledge and resources to help others to succeed. Many area funeral directors served their apprenticeship under the Terry brothers' tutelage and later went on to open businesses of their own. Thompson Terry's homegoing was in 1997. At that point, Paul S. continued on as Funeral Director and Owner. March of 2000 brought about a new change, when Gregory T. Burrell became President of Terry Funeral Home. Burrell has managed to keep alive the rich and vibrant tradition of Terry Funeral Home. remained as a Funeral Director until his passing on March 7, 2012.At Terry Funeral Home, our staff is among the best in the business. The firm truly distinguishes itself in the Philadelphia market place by providing an unmatched array of products and services. Terry Funeral Home is differentiated by a dynamic blend of ongoing traditional care, new product and service concepts, improved management standards, and enhanced administrative efficiency. Terry Funeral Home is one of the most well respected funeral homes in all of Pennsylvania. Many legendary people from the Philadelphia area received funeral services there. Billy Kyle, the piano player for Louis Armstrong's Band, was honored in 1966. Terry Funeral Home also handled Paul Roberson's (athlete, singer, actor, and civil rights activist), funeral services in 1975. Services were held in 1989 for Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander (the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in the United States and the first woman to receive a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School), the Hon. Lucien Blackwell, former U.S. Congressman were performed in 2003. In 2005 services were performed for C. Delores Tucker, noted civil rights activist, and President of National Congress of Black Women. Barbara Matheas Abele, the last living founding member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. founded in 1938, the nation’s largest African-American family organization. In 2013, service was also held for the Hon. William H. Gray. , former U.S. Congressman. He was the first African-American to chair the House Budget Committee and also the first to serve as House Majority Whip, 1989-1991. Numerous families of city administrators, judges, and ordinary citizens have trusted and continue to trust Terry Funeral Homes for their funeral services.
