A path of service in Marshall County was left vacant on Thursday after the death of Albertville resident Neal Terrell.
Terrell passed away at Hospice of Marshall County - Shepherd's Cove in Albert ville after a long battle with cancer. Services are Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Albertville.
"He has left a path that will be hard to follow because of his vast caring for the community," said Albertville resident Jeannie Courington.
"He was passionate for this whole community and he showed that by being involved in so many things throughout the county. It was not that he had any selfish motives. He did what he did for the sake of the community. It will be very hard to find people to live up to his standards."
Terrell graduated from Albertville High School in 1977 and later earned an associate's degree from Snead State Community College in Boaz.
He worked for First Bank of Boaz for 25 years, where he served as senior vice president.
"He loved the bank and loved the people at the bank," his brother said, "but his heart reached beyond the bank doors and throughout the community."
Terrell was involved in several boards and organization, including the Boaz and Albertville chambers of commerce, the Marshall County Christmas Coalition, Alzheimer's Services of Marshall County, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was also involved with the United Way of Marshall County, Boaz City Schools Foundation, the Marshall County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Marshall County People Against a Littered State, Community Civitans and Hospice of Marshall County.
"I don't know that he ever saw a need he didn't respond to," said Rhonda Osborne, CEO of Hospice of Marshall County.
"When he was involved, he was involved. He was actively involved and felt very passionate about so many things. He was just a very giving, compassionate spirit."
'He always wanted to help everybody else'
Friends said Terrell did more than just put his name on a roll with these organizations. He went above and beyond to help.
"He was very loyal to his family and he very graciously opened himself up to other people he called his extended family," Osborne said.
Robert said Terrell "was a family-oriented guy."
"He loved his mother and loved his whole family," Robert said. "He was a good brother. He watched over me. He loved his nieces and nephews, too. He was always encouraging them to be active in community groups and organizations and just tried to pass that on to them."
Robert said Terrell's love of people led to his great involvement in the community.
"He always wanted to help everybody else," Robert said. "That's what he enjoyed. People made him happy. I never saw anybody he didn't like. He would always look at the positive side of people."
Terrell never let cancer slow him down either. Courington said he "was more active in his last days than a lot of us are with the blessing of good health."
"He didn't stop when he was diagnosed with cancer," Osborne noted. "He just kept going and still put others first. He made us laugh and he just kept going."
With a "huge compassionate heart" and sense of humor, Terrell touched the lives of so many in a very personal way.
"I am so honored to have been his friend, to be a part of him," Osborne said. "He's left his footprints in so many lives. I don't know that we'll ever know how many people he directly impacted."
Loved ones say Terrell loved music and loved to play the piano.
He was a lifelong member of Fairview United Methodist Church, where he played piano and organ and served as Sunday School superintendent and choir director.
When Terrell wasn't working or serving in the community, he spent time raising cattle, horses and flowers. He also enjoyed bluegrass festivals and family gatherings.
Many say Terrell's legacy of love and service will live on in the hearts of many across the county.
"He was just a walking example of what Christ wants us to do, to serve others," Osborne said. "He was one who encouraged, one who made you laugh, one who didn't give up, who tried to fit in as much life as he possibly could in time he was here."
As friends and family of Terrell mourn the loss of their loved one, Osborne said Terrell "would want us smiling and laughing."
"He'd want to contribute to our laughter," she said.