Terry Lynn Ryals

April 10, 1960 - August 21, 2021

Terry Lynn Ryals, 61, of Muskogee/Okay went to be with Jesus and her family on Saturday, August 21, 2021. She was born April 10, 1960 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Clyde and Freda Ryals. She was a graduate of Muskogee High School in 1978, OSU Okmulgee graduate in 1980, University of Oklahoma (Bachelor of Science) in 1992. She worked at Acme Reese A/C, First National Bank (Muskogee) and Corning Glass Works. After Corning closed, Terry went to Indian Capital Vo-Tech to study carpentry which led to a career in construction. After graduation from OU, she was hired by RUST Engineering in Birmingham, Alabama as a project engineer. When she moved back to Muskogee she went to work for Flintco Construction as a project engineer then was promoted to project manager in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Terry found her calling in construction after a very rocky past. Her love for construction was her life. Terry and her team won the ABC National Award in Washington, D.C. for construction of the Koweta Indian Health Clinic along with other awards on the Donald W. Reynolds Center (TU Arena), Cherokee Casino, River Spirit Casino, Oklahoma School for the Blind, Town Village Retirement Center, and others while at Flintco. Her employment at RUST Engineering allowed her the opportunity to work on the ASRAM rocket facility for NASA, an intrusion detection system for TVA Sequoyah Nuclear Plant and a de-inking facility for Boise Cascade in Alabama. She also loved Bible studies, fishing, camping, crafts and getting together with friends. Terry attended First Baptist Church (Okay) and Central Baptist Church (Muskogee) when she could. She is a past member of Xi Epsilon Alpha of Beta Sigma Phi, (Muskogee) and Associated Builders and Constructors (OK). She was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Ryals and her mother, Freda Ryals. She is survived by her sister, Evelyn Ryals Schroeder and husband Joseph; nephew, Kevin Schroeder; niece, Kristin Champ and husband Jeff; a few special friends and a whole slew of “Aunt Terry’s Kids” and “Great Aunt Terry’s Kids” who she loved as her own. Terry had requested in lieu of flowers please donate to First Baptist Church of Okay for the benefit of the building fund, 7530 N 37th St E, Okay, OK, 74446. Terry’s life will be celebrated at 10AM, Friday, August 27, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Okay with Mr. Larry Lashley officiating. Interment will be at Moody’s Cemetery, Cherokee County.