Michelle Elayne Teter

Michelle Elayne Teter left her earthly body and was called home to God on June 26, 2019, at St. John’s Hospital in Owasso, OK. She was a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend. A finer person we have never known. The world is a lesser place without her. What the world has lost is truly Heaven’s gain.

Michelle was born on October 9, 1946, at St Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, TX. She was one of six daughters born to Orville and Catherine Gilbert. From the beginning, Michelle was a caring, thoughtful and compassionate person. She married her sweetheart Bill Teter on July 1, 1964, and the two never parted in 55 years. Michelle and Bill had five children together; Victoria, Cassandra, William, Rebecca, and Samuel. While moving around the country some 30 times Michelle and Bill settled and built a home in the community of Thicket, TX. From that point on Thicket has always been considered home. She and Bill were an example to their children of what a lasting marriage represents.

Although many people make a life caring for themselves Michelle made a life of caring for others. This began with her oldest two daughters Vicki and Cassie. The girls were diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and required specialized care until they each passed away. Michelle would go on to care for many other people including her father and sister Annette in their battles with terminal illnesses. She would go on in her later years to care for and pray over her children, their spouses, and grandchildren. Caring for others was a quality Michelle encouraged her family to possess.

Michelle gave real meaning to the word Mother. Not only was she a wonderful mother of five but many people she encountered would regard her as a second mother. She could never have had too many children or grandchildren and often encouraged her children to give her more grandchildren. No one had to share in her love. She had an extraordinary ability to multiply her affection, so everyone was loved equally.

She raised her children in the Catholic Church and was an example for her children to follow. She was proud to see all her children and grandchildren united under Christ. She was always very involved in her parish while her health would allow as both she and Bill would encourage their children to be involved in their parish as well. As a family, they, along with many other parishioners, helped build the Holy Spirit Mission in Kountze, TX. She has and will always play a major part in her children’s and grandchildren’s Catholic faith.

Her home was open to everyone. Every Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter would find housefuls of sisters, nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren traveling to Michelle’s house to celebrate as a family. Michelle was an excellent cook and put much effort to ensure everyone was well cared for. Everyone who came left with belly’s full and hearts fuller.

Michelle did well at just about everything she tried. From cooking, crafts, and painting to shooting, both with a rifle and a bow. She taught her daughters, granddaughters, sons, and grandsons that women could do anything they put their minds to and should be respected.

Michelle is preceded in death by her father and mother Orville and Catherine Gilbert; her daughters Vicki and Cassie Teter; her sisters Melody Nicholson, Danielle Holloway, Annette Demel, and Bernadette Yates.

She is survived by her husband Bill Teter; her children, Will and his wife Amanda, Rebecca and her husband Jed, Sam and his wife Kelli; her sister, Stephanie Gilbert and husband Sean; grandchildren, Andrea Teter, Meagan Riley, Dominik Riley, Benjamin Teter, Molly Teter, Thomas Teter, and Nicholas Teter, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at 11:00 A.M.at Holy Spirit Catholic Mission in Kountze, with Father Ross Waggoner officiating, interment will follow at 2:00 P.M. at Brookside Memorial Park & Cemetery in Houston. A gathering of Mrs. Teter's family and friends will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. at the Faith & Family Chapel.

Honoring Michelle Teter as pallbearers will be Samuel Teter, William Teter, Robert Holloway, David Holloway, Edward Demel, Jedidiah Morgan, Dominik Riley, Benjamin Teter.

Memorial Contributions may be made to in honor of Michelle Elayne Teter to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 4550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 1100 N. Bethesda, MD, 20814.