Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Berry, Mary Rainey October 9, 2002 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com February 12, 2013, 7:30 pm Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Saturday, October 12, 2002 NORFOLK - On Oct. 9, 2002, in the twilight of the evening, God called home one of His most precious children, Mary Rainey Berry, 87, of the 1000 block of Mapole Ave., devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend, who is now peacefully with her heavenly Father. She was born Oct. 29, 1914, in Chester, S.C., to the late Samuel and Rosa Rainey. She was one of five children, two sisters and two brothers, who all preceded her in death. At an early age, she moved with her family to Norfolk, where she completed her education including graduating from I.C. Norcom High School. It was also during this time that she joined First Calvary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Rev. O.J. Allen. On April 8, 1935, she was married to the late Willie E. Berry Sr. They were married for 62 blessed years. To this union was born one son, Willie E. Berry Jr., who also preceded her in death. Mary and Will were also the parenting influence for their two grandchildren and one niece. Mary's career included working as a school traffic guard, cafeteria aide at Booker T. Washington High School, and later as a teacher's aide for the Norfolk Public School System. She worked diligently in this capacity until her retirement in 1978 in which she was presented with a Citation for Service Award. After her retirement, Mary began to focus some of her energy on vacation trip planning. She had assisted in planning and organizing many trips for several organizations, especially the cruises to the Caribbean and other tourist attractions in the continental United States. She was a most unique travel advisor and her trips brought smiles and joy to many. Mary also devoted her time in other areas including serving as a faithful member for over 25 years on First Calvary's Hospitality Committee, First Calvary's Tellers Committee, First Calvary's Credit Union and the Zeta Amicae Organization (Friends of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority) of Norfolk. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Cassie B. Smith of Detroit, Mich.; two grandchildren, Rickey W. Berry and wife Diane of Virginia Beach and Traci A. Berry of Norfolk; three great-grandsons, Antwan Parsons, Christopher G. Pulley of Chesapeake, and Raylan E. Stockdale of Norfolk; two great-grandchildren; a niece/daughter, Rosemary Moody and husband Roscoe of Kilmarnock, Va.; a host of nieces and nephews as well as a host of other loving relatives and friends. The family will be receiving relatives at the home on Sunday. The service will be held at noon Monday, Dr. J.L. White Sr. officiating. Graves Funeral Home is in charge. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/b/berry512gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb