Teresa “Terri” Lynn Tarpley

Teresa Lynn Tarpley, 63 of Panhandle, was born on March 25, 1962 in Albuquerque, N.M. to Barbara Jean Cowan and Windall Wayne Cowan and departed this life Jue 13, 2025 in Amarillo, surrounded by family and friends. Teresa went by Terri or mom but her favorite name was NeNe that her five grandkids called her!

Growing up, her father worked for the Department of Energy after his honorable discharge from the military, so Terri moved a lot as a kid. She lived in Albuquerque, Livermore, Calif., Alaska, then her dad was transferred to the Pantex Plant outside of Panhandle, so they settled in the Panhandle, where she graduated high school and made lifelong friends. Most importantly, she found her best friend, Roy, who she married and shared many adventures with for over 44 years. They loved to travel to her parents’ home in the mountains, going to Vegas, taking cruises or just going anywhere with her family or friends or just watching movies with the grandkids. But it did not matter who it was, she never met a stranger and wanted to show her grandkids off as they were her pride and joy.

Terri was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Barbara Cowan of Brazos, N.M.; her sweet grandmother, Jewel Cowan of Rutheron, N.M.; sister, Addie Darr of Lubbock; uncle, Eddie Cowan of Rutheron; cousin, Tina Shoemaker of Claremore, Okla.; and mother-in-law, Helen Tarpley of Panhandle.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Roy Tarpley of Panhandle; son, Roy Tarpley, Jr. and wife Mary of Canyon; granddaughter, Susy of Fort Benton, Mont.; grandsons, Tommy of Fort Benton, Justin of Hamilton, Texas, Jadon of Canyon, and Tucker of Hamilton; brothers, Richard Cowan and wife Joella of Chama, N.M. and David Cowan of Albuquerque; father-in-law, Tommy Tarpley of Amarillo and formerly of Panhandle; uncle, Jack Cowan and wife Lynette of Las Cruces, N.M.; cousin, Jim Cowan and wife Marsha of Las Cruces; many nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Danny and Linda Tarpley of Amarillo; sisters-in-law, Pam and Gary Walker of Amarillo, Janet and John Wilson of Childress, Texas, and Betty May and partner, Troy of Kerrville, Texas; and her best friend, Lesley and husband Jim Smith of Amarillo.

A celebration of Terri’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 20, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Panhandle.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) of Amarillo or to the Texas Oncology Foundation of Amarillo in her honor.