Joe Berry, 87, of Roan Mountain, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2014, at Roan Highlands Nursing Center, following a brief illness.
Mr. Berry was born in Norfolk, Va., but was raised in Elizabeth City, N.C., and had lived in the Roan Mountain Community since 1986. He was a son of the late Howard Sawyer and Zola Mae Willoughby Berry.
Mr. Berry was retired from Sears Roebuck Company as a watch-maker, where he served for 30 years. He was also a retired driver for Net-Trans and was a member of Aloma United Methodist Church in Winter Park, Fla
Mr. Berry was a 50-year member of Marshall Masonic Lodge No. 39 of Lynchburg, Va.; a member of Composite Masonic Lodge, Orlando, Fla.; a member and past Master of Roan Mountain Masonic Lodge No. 566 F&AM; a member of Scottish Rite and York Rite; a past Worthy Patron and Charter member of O.E.S. Composite Chapter 305, Orlando, Fla., and a present member of O.E.S Orlando Chapter 121; a member and past Worthy Patron of Roan Mountain O.E.S. No. 230; a member of Bahia Shrine Temple, Orlando, Fla.; a member and past treasurer of Jericho Shrine Temple in Kingsport; a member of Oasis Shrine Temple, Charlotte, N.C., where he was a member of two units: The Tripsters, having made over 100 trips to various hospitals, and the Avery County Shrine Club, where he had served as a past President and Secretary. He was Chapter Dad of Bahia Demolay, Orlando, Fla.; a past Associate Bethel Guardian of Jobs Daughters, Bethel No. 3, Orlando, Fla.; and a past Grand Associate Bethel Guardian for the State of Florida. He had the Grand Cross of Color for Rainbow; had been the Grand Lodge District Youth Chairman for the State of Florida and an Honorary Legion of Honor for Demolay for the State of Florida.
Survivors include his wife of over 40 years, Eleanor Ginader Berry, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Robin Renea Cone and Dr. Kenneth Cone, Durant, Okla., and Karen Sue Hutter and James Hutter, Durant, Okla.; three step-daughters, Judith Lynne Scott, Durham, N.C, Karen Lenore Brandel, Fayetteville, N.C., and Donna Katherine Struble, of the home; two grandchildren, Shane Hutter and wife Penny, and Kenneth Cone and wife Brittney; five step-grandchildren, Kara Scott, Brad Scott and wife Carrie, Bonnie Keyworth, James Wickner and Ryan Wickner; and two brothers, Howard Berry, his twin brother, and his wife Joyce, Newark, Del., and Bobby Roy Berry and his wife Diane of Georgia. Several nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren also survive.
A Masonic funeral service to honor the life of Joe Berry was conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, October 20, in the Rhododendron Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain, led by the Roan Mountain Masonic Lodge No. 566 F&AM. The family received friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, in the Holston View Cemetery, 1383 U.S. Highway 23 S., Weber City, VA 24290. Honorary pallbearers will be Barney Brown, Russ Becker, Wayne Lowe, Michael Richardson, Robert Braswell, all Masonic Members of Roan Mountain Masonic Lodge, Cranberry Masonic Lodge in Elk Park and the Avery County Shrine Club. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday. The family requests donations be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, in lieu of flowers. Please mail to: Avery County Shrine Club, C/O Michael Richardson, 3475 Beech Mountain Road, Elk Park, NC 28622. Please mark donations in memory of Joe Berry. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book.
Tetrick Funeral Home of Roan Mountain is proudly serving the Berry family. Office: (423) 772-3928. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.