One Monticello Life: Keith & Terri Montgomery
February 10th, 2008 by Joe Burgess
Well, Thursday is Valentine’s Day, and I couldn’t think of a better time to pick a “couple” to feature on One Monticello Life.
Keith & Terri Montgomery own and operate Monticello Exxon, and have been married for 12 years.Â
When Keith was in high school, he worked at Monticello Exxon, when Mr. Davis owned the business, and it was located on 425 North.   After several years of pipeline construction, and working at Bone’s Auto Parts, he and Terri bought the business from Charlie Nichols, around 1996.
Terri is the office manager, and Keith is involved in pretty much everything else that takes place at the only full-time, full-service, service station in Monticello.
Many Monticello folks know Terri from the 8 years she spent at Collin’s Chiropractic. She worked in business offices several years, prior to that.
Keith & Terri have 2 children. Their son, Byron, is a RN in Monroe. Byron’s wife, Hillary, will soon graduate from ULM as a dental hygienist. Their daughter, Kelley Jo Rasco, is a Junior at UAM, and plans to study to be a dental hygienist.
Keith and Terri were both raised in the Monticello area, although Keith’s family moved around a lot doing pipeline construction.
Terri’s dad was Coach Harold Tilley, UAM’s longtime football coach.Â
The Montgomery’s have 3 pets; 2 Shih Tzus, J.J. & Jayla; and a Maltese, named Boston.
His favorite TV show is the History Channel, her’s is Project Runway.
Keith and Terri share several “favorites”, such as:
Favorite restaurant—The River.
Favorite movie—It’s a Wonderful Life, they watch it together, every year.
Favorite music—70′s rock.
Favorite song—Wonderful Tonight (their song).
Favorite book—The Bible.
Keith’s “most used” phrase is, ”We’re not in business to make money, we’re in business to help people.”  I guess that explains why so many people keep coming back to Monticello Exxon.
Terri’s ”most used” phrase is telling Keith to, ”Go on, and leave me alone, I’m busy.”
They enjoy playing golf, together, and both are involved working with the youth at Immanuel Baptist Church, on Barkada Road.
Terri teaches the 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade Sunday School class, and Keith teaches the High School Youth Class.
Keith is very proud of his sister and brother-in-law, Daren and Jennifer Clements, who are serving as missionaries in China for 2 years.
With this week being Valentine’s Day, Keith & Terri will probably exchange “Cards & Candy” (it’s a yearly tradition) after working at the station all day. Together.Â
Happy Valentine’s day, Keith & Terri, and thanks for sharing your “One Monticello Life.” Â
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What a great picture! Keith is my brother-in-law so of course I use Monticello Exxon on a regular basis where I am treated like a queen.(but ONLY at the station! lol) But even if I weren’t kin to them, I would still go there because the service is great, the people are great and they are very dependable and friendly. No matter what Keith is doing he will drop everything to go help a stranded customer or even a total stranger, right away. They do many things to help people that most people aren’t even aware of. Now , if I could just talk them out of one of those hugh stuffed tigers!
Love you all! Kim Montgomery
Had to respond to this one. AS anyone will attest, there is no one in Monticello like Keith. I have had the privelige and yes count it an honor to know Keith most of his and my life. My father is the one who taught him the gas business that was spoke of early in the article. My father was as proud of having Keith as an employee as he was his own children. I could really tell stories on Keith for the things he did at the station in those younger years, but people might not belive all that he did do!
AS I was going thru Cancer and thru other events in my life, Keith was there to help with anything needed, espically taking care of the car for the many trips back and forth to Little Rock.
So keith and Terri, Happy Valentines day..and Terri how you have put up with him these years …that is the question!!! YOu both are awesome!
Steve A. Davis
I moved here from So Illinois last summer as a result of marrying a local man. As with moving to a new place, you always worry about finding things such as a new doctor, a new church, even a new mechanic. As sometimes happens, BOTH my husband’s truck and my car had to have brake repairs. Someone at church suggested the local Exxon. They said they are good Christian people and will treat you right! This was very important to me. My husband is a truck driver and is gone 2-3 weeks at a time, so I’m a woman alone, making major decisions about things such as car repairs. I needed someone I could trust, who would not take advantage of me. Well, I found it at the Exxon station. They were prompt in the repairs, very friendly (there’s that Southern hospitality again), and the repair bill left us with a little grocery money to boot! I was thrilled to find that there are still good, honest people out there who care about their fellow man (and woman) and not just making a dollar. Thanks so much Keith and Terri. You made my transition much smoother.
I love doing business with Keith and Terri. I can trust them to take care of all my automotive needs. The entire staff at Exxon is friendly and helpful.
Thanks for being such a wonderful influence in our community.
We love both of them!
It’s about time Keith made OML! Fitting tribute. Athough I don’t think I met Terri, I’m sure she’s just as incredible as Keith.
Congrats Keith and Terri you are both awesome people.