Terry Cullifer
Walter Terry Cullifer, “Terry” to most, passed away at his home on October 17, 2021.
He was born July 18, 1939, in Headland, Al. to the late Plemon John and Clora Smith Cullifer. A 1963 graduate and lifelong fan of the University of Alabama, Mr. Cullifer spent his career in public education. From 1963 until 1980, he was a teacher at Tucker High School and then an assistant principal at Lakeside High School, both in Dekalb County, Ga.
He moved to Dalton, Ga. to be principal at Northwest Whitfield High School in 1980. From 1986 to 1989, he was assistant superintendent for Instruction for the Whitfield County Schools. Mr. Cullifer was named as the Whitfield County Schools superintendent in 1989, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. He then spent several years working for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools until 2009.
He was preceded in death in 2018 by his wife, Judy Cullifer, to whom he had been married for 53 years. Also preceding him in death were three sisters, Mildred Brackin, Jeanette McClendon, and Martha C. Dillard; and a brother, Johnny Cullifer.
Mr. Cullifer is survived by his two sons, Mark Cullifer of Smyrna, and Scott Cullifer (wife Mandi) of Cartersville: four grandchildren, Bryant, Charlie, Trent, and Annie: and one brother, Ralph Cullifer of Dothan, Al. along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Oct. 21, at 12 p.m. at First Methodist Church of Dalton. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 5-8 p.m. at Peeples Funeral Home in Dalton, Ga.
The funeral service will take place at Holman Funeral home in Headland, Al. on Saturday, Oct. 23. There will be a time of visitation at 1 p.m. (Central time), followed by a service at 2 p.m.
The family requests that flowers be omitted, and memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church of Dalton, Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society or the Whitfield Education Foundation.
Burial will be in Gardens of Memory in Headland, Al.