Teri Littrell Kruger's Obituary
The album of Teri Littrell Kruger was released to the public in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on February 25, 1950 by Bonni Mari and Jerry Littrell. While Bonni and Jerry were listening to the new music that Teri brought to our world, the rest of the world was enjoying the #1 hit “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” by Red Foley.The music of Teri’s early life was influenced by three brothers (Tim, Niles, and Todd) and a sister (Julie), as well as many cousins, who she mesmerized with her ability to iron her hair. Teri was known for her great love of the music of the Beatles throughout her life. Later in life, she also grew to love the music of Cheap Trick, and it was often rumored that she was secretly married to Robin Zander.A major hit in Teri’s life was her graduation from Will Rogers High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1968. While they were receiving diplomas and celebrating leaving high school behind, the top music of the spring included Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey” and “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & The Drells. She left Tulsa for a time to attend Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She brought the soundtrack of her life back to the Tulsa area afterwards and worked the music of her life into employment with May’s Drug and Dollar Rent A Car.A driving force that shaped Teri’s album was her family and extended family. The music of Teri’s life changed on January 18, 1970, with the birth of a son named Jeff. While Teri was enjoying this addition to the music of her life, the country was hearing BJ Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” make it to #1. On September 17, 1979, another track was added to the album with the birth of a daughter Lesley. In the background of that event, the #1 hit in the nation was “My Sharona” by The Knack. The children portion of the album was completed with a second daughter, Lucy, who added her music to the family on February 19, 1986. When Lucy’s track was produced, the nation was dancing to “How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston.Teri raised her children to love music much as she did. Each of them have been active in music in their life, and have passed the music to their families. When Teri went into labor with her first child, she was dancing with her sister to “Rock Around the Clock.” Her daughter Lesley was named after the song “Groovin’” (….”you and me endlessly….”). One has to wonder if Lucy came from the sky (with diamonds). When “Footloose” came on during the weekend, it meant that everyone was on deck for cleaning.The music continued to grow in Teri’s life when her beloved grandchildren joined the project. A granddaughter, Cadence Bailey, was added to the album on July 17, 1997, when the #1 song was “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans, featuring 112. Isabel (Izzy) Erickson’s track was laid down on June 4, 2009, while we all heard The Blackeyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” on the radio. Isaac Erickson added his flavor to the album on November 5, 2010, to the music of “Like a G6” by Far East Movement featuring The Catracs and Dev. Isla Erickson joined the album on July 5, 2012 while the country was singing along to Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.” Holly White was the most recent addition to the album, on January 15, 2015, while we grooved to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars.Teri was preceded in death by her parents Bonni and Jerry Littrell, and her brother Todd Littrell. She is survived by her siblings Tim Littrell, Julie Isch and Niles Littrell, children Jeff Elder, Lesley White and Lucy Erickson, as well as her grandchildren Cadence Bailey, Isabel Erickson, Isaac Erickson, Isla Erickson, and Holly White.Teri’s home was always a place for friends and family to gather and was the site of numerous memorable holiday gatherings. The gatherings would always last until the late hours, with music, stories, and often some family karaoke. Her Christmas trees were immaculate, the product of hours of meticulous placement of ornaments gathered throughout the years. She loved the color pink. She had perfect eyebrows. Each person who had the pleasure of being part of the music of her life undoubtedly has a favorite memory to share.The album is now complete. As Teri did with her favorite songs in her life, we will play the album of her life over and over, because it is, without a doubt, one of the finest ever produced.
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