Teresa McCreary

Teresa McCreary passed into the presence of her heavenly father and savior, Jesus Christ on February 6, 2025, after a long battle fighting against Parkinson’s. Teresa is survived by her husband Perry McCreary; sons Keagan Burkhart, Preston McCreary and wife Emma, and daughter, Megan McCreary, all of Roswell, NM; her parents, Don & Aleen Jones of Roswell, NM; brother, Chris Jones and wife Missy of Carlsbad, NM many nephews and nieces whom she loved immensely. Teresa was born to Donald and Aleen Jones on September 1, 1972, in Santa Fe, NM. They moved to Roswell when she was 3 years old. She is a graduate of Roswell High School and Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. She also attended Lubbock Christian University. Teresa has worked for 23 years at J&L Jewelers. Working at J&L was more than a job. She loved working there because of her many loyal customers, but most of all, she loved her “Ladies”; Jackie Sappington, Carrie Graham, Judy Smyth and on occasion Deb Beyhan. Teresa’s most passionate love was her family. She was a mother, caregiver, teacher, cheerleader and advocate. She wanted to spend all her free time with her family. She loved going on family vacations and especially camping every Labor Day. She was their biggest cheerleader when they were participating in the Special Olympics, slow pitch softball, fast pitch softball, club volleyball, baseball and all the other extracurricular activities that they were involved in. She was a devoted member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and taught in the Jr. & Sr. High youth groups and God’s Xtraordinary Kids for individuals with special needs. She mostly loved being an AWANA teacher to the 4-year-old Puggles. Teresa and Perry were instrumental in bringing the Buddy Walk (now Step Up for Down Syndrome) to Roswell in 2003 to celebrate and raise awareness and inclusion for individuals with Down Syndrome, like their son Keagan. In 2005 Teresa was a co-founder of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Southeastern New Mexico to celebrate families and self-advocate individuals with Down Syndrome. Teresa served for many years on the Board of Directors for the DSFSENM and on the Board for Generations of Learning Center. Teresa’s absence will leave a huge void in our lives, but we know that she now has a new heavenly body without pain and suffering. The family would like to thank everyone who cared for her in her last days. They would especially like to thank Carrie Graham for her loyal friendship and taking her on walks and lunches, her niece Heather McCreary, Nancy Montgomery and Ruth Carillo, her caregiver at Agape Home Care for coming to the house and providing care each week. We would also like to thank Yvonne Henrickson with Enhabit Home Health & Hospice for guiding us through her last days. Arrangements are being made through LaGrone Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at Tabernacle Baptist Church, located at 115 W. 11th, Roswell, NM on Saturday, February 22, 2025. A viewing will be available at 9:00am and services begin at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers please honor Teresa’s legacy by making donations to the Down Syndrome Foundation of Southeastern New Mexico, P.O. Box 4365, Roswell, NM 88202, 575-623-1099, www.dsfsenm.org.