Deacon Terry Gilchrist

      Deacon Terry Gilchrist was born a twin on Tuesday, November 28, 1950 to the late Lennew
Gilchrist Jr. and Annie Neil McMillian-Gilchrist. He departed this life at UNC Health
Southeastern on Saturday, March 22, 2025. He was preceded in death by four siblings, Leroy
Gilchrist, Edward Gilchrist, Nathaniel Gilchrist and Emma Helen Welch.
     Terry was educated at Rosenwald High School where he graduated in 1968. After high
school, he moved to New York where he lived and worked there briefly. Later, he moved back
home to Fairmont where he was employed at WestPoint Pepperell, formerly known as Alamac
American Knits as a lead mechanic for forty plus years. After retiring, Terry worked as a site
monitor for Robeson County Sanitation until his health failed him.
     Terry was reared in the church and was an active member of First Baptist Church of
Fairmont since he was a child. As a child, he was an active member in Sunday School and a door
holder. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the age of 12 in 1962. Later in life,
he became Sunday School Superintendent from 1970-2003. In 1972, he served as Chairman of
the Trustee Board. Then, in 1984 he was awarded the Father of the Year award and then became
ordained as a Deacon on January 6, 1985 at First Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Joy
Joseph Johnson. In addition to this, he worked on the finance committee and was an active
member of the FBC Male Choir. While he did work in many capacities within the church he
believed that being of service is what God called us all to do. He enjoyed his church and most of
all he loved God. Terry’s favorite scripture was Matthew 6:33; “But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”.
     Terry leaves to cherish his memories: 1 devoted wife of 52 years, Berniece
Manning-Gilchrist of Fairmont, NC; 2 loving children, Terry Lamont Gilchrist of Lumberton,
NC and Parenthia Gilchrist of Fairmont, NC; 3 loving grandchildren, Quandiva Terryne McLean
(DaQuan) of Lumberton, NC, Kalun Jaè Gilchrist of Gastonia, NC and AhNeillyah GemElle
Gilchrist of Fairmont, NC. He also leaves to cherish his memories: 1 sister, Margaret Lynch
(Charlie) of Greensboro, NC; 3 brothers, Rev. Jimmy Gilchrist (Carolyn) of Lumberton, NC,
Jethro (Sarah J.) of Lumberton, NC and Jerry (Frances) of Fairmont, NC. Two sister-in-laws;
Glenda Gilchrist of Lumberton, NC and Rev. Mary Gilchrist of Marion, SC and a host of nieces,
nephews, special friends and lifelong friend Deacon Clinton Brockington.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon Terry Gilchrist, please visit our floral store.