Rheba Terry Cannaday was born November 17th in Roanoke City, one of 10 children born to Sallie Taylor Terry and Vernard C. Terry, Sr. She has a twin sister, Elsie and twin brothers. She attended Mrs. Louise Jones” kindergarten and Harrison Elementary School through the fourth grade. The family moved to Roanoke County in 1942 where she graduated from Carver School in 1950.
While at Carver she played on the girls’ basketball team for four years, was captain of the team for three and a star player. Her jersey (number 4) was retired in 1951. She was also president of the varsity “C” Club. Mrs. Cannaday graduated from Virginia State College (University) in 1954 and majored in Elementary Education. While attending Virginia State she was inducted into the Alpha Eta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
In 1954, she was employed by the Roanoke City School System where she spent 44 years in elementary schools teaching young children.
From her 48-year marriage to Coach Irvin “Earl” one daughter was born, Dawn Ross; stepson, Irvin Cannaday III; six grandchildren and 2 twin great-grandchildren. Many of her family members graduated from Virginia State University. She had two sisters, a great aunt, one grandson, three brothers-in-law, one nephew and many cousins.
Mrs. Cannaday has served on numerous boards including the Northwest Child Development Center; is a past member of the Roanoke Chapter Links, Inc.; past member of the Jack and Jill; current member of the Roanoke Chapter Girl Friends, Socialite Pincohle Club, and the Les Joyeuse’s Amies Pinochle Club. She is also a dedicated member of First Baptist Church, Gainsboro, where she served on the Finance Committee and as Assistant Church Clerk. Her favorite motto is, ”Do the best you can until you know better—When you know better, Do Better.”
