Terri Lynn Stricker, age 72, of Farmington, passed away Friday, December 10, 2021 in Fayetteville.  She was born on April 4, 1949 to James F. and Geraldine A. (Walker) Smith in St. Louis, Missouri, the eldest of five children.

In 1967, Terri committed her life to know and serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  That same year, she graduated from Hazelwood High School in St. Louis.  Two weeks later, she married Eric C. Stricker, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force.  In 1970, Terri attended John Brown University.  In subsequent years, she studied at the University of Arkansas and completed three degrees, including a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature.

Terri and Eric, together with their children, worked for 22 years in overseas Christian missionary service, primarily in missionary children's education and church planting.  They completed long-term assignments in Germany, Austria, and Argentina, and short-term assignments in China, Russia, and the Ukraine.  After their ministries overseas, Terri and Eric returned to the United States and served as college professors until their retirement back to Northwest Arkansas in 2019.  Now "absent from the body, present with the Lord," Terri Lynn Stricker maintained a singular purpose in life - to praise, honor, and glorify her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Terri is survived by her husband, Eric C. Stricker; her adult children, Nadja M. Gardner, Nathan M. Stricker, and Tylie N. Prince; her grandchildren, Aarika Gardner, Ethan Gardner, Annalee Gardner, Bennett Stricker, Zachary Stricker, Emmy Stricker, Nina Prince, Maren Prince, Pippa Prince, Del Evergreen and Ede Evergreen; and her siblings, Kathi Welner, Lona Grimm, Lisa Jeffs, and James M. Smith.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, December 20, 2021 at Heritage Funeral Chapel with Steve Barthelemy officiating. Interment will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, December 19, 2021 at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be made to Fellowship Bible Church or Mercy International .

Click here to view Terri's funeral service:

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