Mary Lou (Meeks) Clodfelder Terrell

Mary Lou Meeks Clodfelder Terrell, 86, of Vincennes, passed into her heavenly home on January 8, 2021.  Mary Lou was born on October 8, 1934, in Oaktown, to the late Thomas Meeks and Halle Snyder Meeks.  She graduated from Oaktown High School in 1952 and was a member of the (United) Methodist Church in Oaktown and later, Vincennes.  She was active in local and state politics throughout her life, having led and served the local party as precinct committee person for many years.  She also served as County Chair, Deputy Chair, State Vice Chair and for a short time, acting State Chair.

Around 1978, Mary Lou and Mr. Glen Kolby of Oaktown conceived and established the Knox County Housing Authority in Bicknell, a housing agency designed to serve the people of Knox County outside the city of Vincennes.  She served as Executive Director until 2012.  In 1992, she conceived and established the local, non-profit, Knox County Rural Housing Finance Corporation in Oaktown, which was designed to meet the housing needs of the low- to moderate-income citizens of Knox County.  Between the two entities, Mary Lou and her Boards of Commissioners and Directors developed 140 units which still serve the county today.

Mary Lou took pride in her endeavors and accomplishments but always recognized that none of them would have been possible without the support and efforts of her Board members, including Mr. Bill Powell of Wheatland, Tammy Davis of Bruceville, Johnny Stephens of Bicknell, Jimmie Morrison and Ronnie Lane, the late Mssrs. John Stephens, Jerry Russell, Raymond Mize, Richie Schulze, the late Mmes Judy Stephens and Bonnie Mize, and the many, many friends and supporters throughout the communities of Knox County and throughout the State of Indiana.  

She is survived by four children and stepchildren, Katri Clodfelder of Indianapolis and Dave and Cindy Clodfelder of Verne, Randy Terrell of Plantation, FL, and Rhea Paine Larson, also of FL. Also surviving her are seven grandchildren and stepgrandchildren, Aaron Hungerford, Andy Clodfelder, Nicholas Clodfelder, Karissa Clodfelder, Scott Terrell, Christie McHale, Rhea’s children Faye and Brian, and Amy and Amber, daughters of the late Cathy Terrell Catt, six great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Meeks and Halle Snyder Meeks, husband Paul Terrell, 3 children and stepchildren, Dean Clodfelder, Linda Clodfelder Hawkins, and Cathy Terrell Catt.  Her 12 siblings also preceded her in death and numerous family members and friends, all of whom she loved and missed dearly after their passing.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021, from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm, at Fredrick and Son McClure-Utt Funerals Homes, Vincennes Chapel.  A funeral will follow on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 1:00 pm, also at the Vincennes Chapel of the funeral home.  Burial will take place at the Oaktown Cemetery following the funeral.  Memorial contributions may be made to Linda Lou Clodfelder Scholarship Fund, Vincennes University Foundation.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.fredrickandson.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lou (Meeks) Clodfelder Terrell, please visit our floral store.