Click Here to View and Download the Virtual Memorial Held for Terri Chappell Wade

The world lost one of its brightest stars in April 2020.

Terri Lynn Chappell Wade was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, the only child of Yvette Chappell-Ingram. She grew up surrounded by a large family consisting of grandparents Wash and Willa Chappell, uncles Arthur, Darrell and Sterling Chappell, great-aunt Erma Washington and a large host of “live-near-by” aunts and cousins.

 Terri attended University High School and after graduation went on to attend California State University, Long Beach where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology. A few years later, Terri was accepted into the Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine University where she graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

 In 1996, Terri married Stanley Wade and became step-mom to Kandie, Joshua, and Daniel Wade, all who have become very successful adults. The following year, Terri gave birth to Nicholas.  She would say her greatest accomplishment was motherhood. A devoted mother to Nicholas, her eyes would light up when speaking of him to others. He was her pride and joy.

The family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2004 where she continued her career as a financial executive in the banking industry, also earning a ‘Six Sigma Green Belt in project management. As a leader in her field, Terri had a strong work ethic and was oftentimes referred to as the “go-to” manager to solve complex problems.

 Committed to community activism, Terri sat on numerous boards including the advisory board of the Flintridge Foundation and the board of BRITE (Bridging Resources in Technology and Education) in Pasadena, California. In Charlotte, she was on the boards of Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center, Mental Health America of Central Carolinas and the YMCA Y Achievers.

Terri was an avid reader, evidenced by her Book Club participation in Los Angeles and Charlotte. She loved the nostalgia of 80’s music, going to movies, traveling around the world, and dining with family and friends. Her favorite TV show of all time was “I Love Lucy”, where it’s said she watched each episode at least 50 times. Many times you could find her in an exercise boot camp or just hanging with her ‘ride or die’ friends. But more importantly, Terri loved the Lord. She was raised in the Christian church at an early age, sang in the choir and served as a spiritual counselor to others.

After many trips to doctors, Terri was finally diagnosed with ALS in May 2019. In Terri’s case, the disease progressed rapidly and she made a difficult decision to leave Charlotte and her son Nicholas (a rising college senior attending the University of North Carolina, Wilmington) and move back home to Los Angeles to be near family.

Terri died peacefully in her sleep on April 9, 2020. She is survived by her son Nicholas, mother Yvette, Yvette’s husband Reggie, uncles Darrell and Sterling Chappell, great-aunt Erma Washington and countless hosts cousins and friends.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ALS Association Golden West Chapter. Terri found the association to be of tremendous value as it provided her with the resources needed to navigate her illness.