John F Berry

John F. Berry passed away February 12, 2008, in Hendrick Medical Center with his family at his side. John was born June 9, 1930, in Ferndale, Arkansas to the late Robert Lee and Fronia Hale Berry. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Bennington; brother's Bill, Harrolee and Jim; one sister Juanita. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Edna Berry, daughter, Marlinda Hood and husband John; a son, Tony and wife Kim; brother-in-law, Theo Mullens and special friend, Frances Roller; grandchildren, Tiffany Beatty and husband Sean, Tara Hood, Janan Holland and husband Bobby, Joey Bennington, Mikey Bennington, Phoenix Berry and Sierra Berry; a great-grandchild, Caroline Beatty; many nieces and nephews. John was a graduate of Sheridan High School, Sheridan, Arkansas. He met Edna Mullens and they were married September 23, 1950 in Little Rock, Arkansas. After many years of working in the manufacture of church furniture, John and Edna moved to Corvallis, Oregon. Later John and his family moved to Abilene, Texas where at age 33 he enrolled in Abilene Christian College, later attending Texas A & M and the University of Texas. He taught building trades for 17 years at Abilene High School, later teaching at Greenville High School, Greenville, Texas and retiring from Lumberton High School, Lumberton, Texas. He, along with his wife served as Vocational Missionaries in Zambia, Africa for two years. John volunteered in many capacities throughout his life. He built two houses for Habitat for Humanity and most recently was a RSVP volunteer for Abilene Christian University Theater and for the Abilene Police Department. John had many hobbies, was proficient in Horticulture and the art of stained glass. In Lumberton, he built beautiful stained glass baptistery doors at the Church of Christ and at the High School he designed and crafted an award winning stained glass window scene depicting the life of the Native American. Visitation will be Thursday, February 14, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hillcrest Church of Christ chapel, 650 East Ambler Ave. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2008 in The Hamil Family Funeral Home chapel, with Henry Speck and Jerry Hayes officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be; Carl White, Butch Walters, Bob Hancock, Lewis Duncan, John Howard and Michael Bennington. Honorary pallbearers are; Ulric Anstead, Bob Joy and Ray Davis. Memorials may be made to the Zambia Mission Fund, 658 EN 21st Street, Abilene, Texas 79601 or donor's favorite charity.