Maria Teresa "Terri" Poland

Maria Teresa Carroll Poland went peacefully to be with her Savior on August 7th, 2019 surrounded in life and in death by her husband, children, grandchildren and family. Terri was born on August 16, 1954 in Cheverly, Maryland. Terri was the 5th girl in a family of 10 and she was named after her mom's sister, the late Maria Teresa Kane Jones. Terri was always a bubbly happy child with a head full of curls and a face that always had a smile - except when she had to clean the bathroom, a chore she despised. Until Terri was 8 she lived in Washington DC. In 1962 after the death of her grandfather Carroll, the family moved to Rocky Mount, NC. Terri always considered Rocky Mount home, and had deep roots in the community - in fact she knew almost everybody. Terri attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH)and then Northern Nash High School. In high school she met the love of her life, William Donald Poland (Don). They were married at OLPH on Feb 18, 1973. Later that year, they welcomed a daughter Jennifer Lori, followed by two sons, William "Donald" Poland Jr., and David Allen Poland. Early in their marriage she was a stay at home mom and Terri and Don's home was a central meeting point for the Carroll family over the years. From celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, the annual family beach trip caravan to Emerald Isle, whatever - Terri & Don's home was always full of and family and friends. Her door never closed, all were welcome, good southern cooking at the table, lots of laughter, memories and fun. Her love of God came through loud and clear in the way she treated everyone. When David, Terri's youngest son started school, she went to work for the Rocky Mount School System and was there for over a decade. Later she changed careers and entered the banking industry, with the bank that eventually became RBC. If Terri didn't know you before she started working, she met you through your kids, or at the bank, - no one was a stranger to her! She made many friends and loved her girl's night outings, especially with her best friend of many years, Debra Vester. She was also quite the cook and baker and loved sharing her cake decorating skills. Terri made cakes for friends, family and neighbors and partnered with her sister to make wedding cakes for many nieces and nephews weddings. One of Terri's greatest joys in life was her grandchildren and she loved being their "MEME". There was nothing Meme wouldn't do for her grandchildren. Birthdays, Easter, Christmas' were extravaganza events in terms of her decorating, cooking, loving on them and a few too many gifts too! She attended almost every single event of her grandchildren's, even after she became ill. She watched endless ballgames, recitals, performance, plays - you name it, Meme was in the audience recording, clapping wildly and cheering on her babies! She was a proud Meme!! Terri had struggled over the last few years with illness and cancer but she never gave in to it. She kept pushing herself, even planning a cruise this past April to have one last big party with her family. The memories she has given us will sustain us as we miss her every single day. Terri was beautiful, bigger than life, successful in so many ways and she leaves a legacy of friends and family that tell that story. Terri leaves behind her loving husband of 46 years Don Poland, daughter Jennifer Summers (Daniel) of Wilmington NC, sons William Donald Poland (Gretchen) and David Allen Poland (Courtney) of Rocky Mount. She is survived by grandchildren Dylan, Alanna, Kadin, Greyson, Kendall, London and her newest grand baby Tate. Terri was preceded in death by her father Richard Earl Carroll Sr., and her granddaughter, Cassidy Bales. She is survived by her mother, Rosemary Kane Carroll, nine siblings, Donna Carmical (Larry) of Fredericksburg VA, Rosemary Debes (Leon) of Boonsboro, MD, Debra Rowe of Tallahassee FL, Kathleen Linus (Matt) of Boca Raton FL, Richard Carroll (Michele) of Rocky Mount NC, Thomas Carroll of Chapel Hill MD, Leighann Wester (Brent) of Spring Hope NC, Jonathan Carroll (Joan) of Emmittsburg, MD and James Carroll of Chapel Hill MD and many, many, nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Monday, August 12, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Johnson Funeral Home with the funeral service following at 12:30 PM in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Journey4acure.org in memory of Terri's great nephew, Declan. Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com. Visitation Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services 661 English Rd Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> (252) 937-8886 --> | Monday 8/12, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Service Location Not Available Monday 8/12, 12:30 pm