Theresa "Teri" Stephens Pankhurst, 71, died on November 5, 2018 during the aftermath of Hurricane Michael at Covenant Hospice in Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL after fighting Alzheimer's Disease for several years. Teri was born on October 22, 1947 to Jim and Marge (Krippner) Stephens in Pensacola, FL. After graduating from Pensacola Catholic High, she attended Pensacola Junior College where she earned her Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene. Teri moved to Panama City in 1968 to begin the local practice of dental hygiene. Later she instructed the dental hygiene program at Gulf Coast Community College. She also earned her Masters Degree in Psychology from Florida State University in Panama City. She organized the mobile dental bus serving the Bay County Schools.
Teri loved the outdoors and her cats, dogs and horses. In her younger years, she was active in many local organizations, including the Bay County Audubon Society, Young Republicans, the Jaycees and she taught aerobic dancing. In her later years, she was a member/wife of the River Rats Crewe, Krewe of Dominique Youx, the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association and CBSA.
She was predeceased by her parents, Jim and Marge Stephens, her brothers, Bill, Pat, and Tom Stephens and her ex-husband of 20 years, Jerry Gerde. She is survived by her loving husband, John Pankhurst, her sister, Debbie Jelks and her husband Allen, her beloved dogs, Murphy and Bella, cat, O.J. and her horse, Andy.
A celebration of life will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday, February 17th from 2-3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in her memory.