Cris Grounds

Hazel Cristena Terry Grounds, 91, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  Visitation will be on Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.  Funeral service will be on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. at the Hillcrest Church of Christ with burial to follow at private family cemetery in Jones County, under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors.

Cris was born on May 16, 1933 to Hazel Carlton Strand and I.H. Terry Jr. She graduated from Stamford High School in 1951 and went on to attend Abilene Christian College. She graduated with a degree in education in 1955. A few years before graduation, she met the love of her life, George Lewis Grounds at Shiloh Children’s Bible Camp where she was a summer counselor. They married on May 31, 1955 and returned to Crane, Texas where George was already a teacher and coach. They were members of the Mary Street Church of Christ where George and Cris both taught Sunday school. While living in Crane, Cris was a girl scout leader, active in 4H and always involved in supporting all of her daughters many school and sports activities.

In 1985, they retired from Crane ISD and returned home to Stamford where George helped Sonny on the family farm. They attended Orient Street Church of Christ and became involved in the various ministries of that congregation. Cris also joined the Garden Club and enjoyed playing Bridge with various clubs. She and George spent many hours and miles on the road traveling to support grandchildren, great nephews or great nieces in activities, be it academic or athletic.

In 2009, George and Cris moved from Stamford to Abilene to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. George passed away in 2010 but Cris was kept busy for the next 14 years being the best mother, grandmother and great grandmother there ever was....and you guessed it, she also stayed busy as an active member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her infant grandson, Brandon Keith Sena, mother Hazel Strand, Stepfather Leonard Strand, father I.H. Terry Jr., her loving husband George, her brother Sonny (Carlton) Strand and his wife Ann. She is survived by her three daughters, Gina Holt and husband Lanny, Georganne Cole and husband Robert, and Lisa Sena all of Abilene. 6 grandchildren, Lucas Holt and wife Chelsea, Brian Sena and wife Lindsay, Riley Holt wife Brandi, Brandi Murray and husband Donny, Robyn Cole, and Logan Cole and wife Johanna Cole. She had 10 great grandchildren, Ensley and Kade Holt, Cason and Hudson Holt, Braelyn and Brandon Sena, Hazel, Ledger, Phoebe Ann, and Lucy Rose Cole and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The family requests that memorials be sent to the Project Philippine c/o Central Church of Christ, P.O. Box 407, Hereford, Texas 79045 or Hendrick Hospice Care 1651 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601