Betty Berry

P Betty Joyce Berry
Betty Joyce Berry, 82, went to be with her Lord and join all her loved ones who have gone before her, on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at the family home in Dexter. Betty was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by three sons, Tom C. Berry and his wife Bonnie of Roswell, John O. Berry and his wife Patricia of Dexter and James Jim W. Berry and his wife Lori of Dexter, one daughter, Barbara Berry Ross and her husband Mike of Plano, TX. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Lisa Berry Nicholson of Roswell, Josh E. Berry of Roswell, Michael Berry of Dexter, Heather Brown of Albuquerque, Kyle Berry of San Antonio, TX, Audrey Ross and Austin Ross of Plano, TX, and Josh A. Berry of Albuquerque, eight great-grandchildren, Emma Kate Nicholson and Eden Hope Nicholson of Roswell, Tyler Berry, Tanner Berry and Hannah Berry of Dexter, and Peyton Brown, Maci Brown and Kaelin Brown of Albuquerque, and many nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her foster parents, her brother, her sister, her husband, H.C. Berry of Dexter and a grandson, Kurt Berry of Dexter.

Betty was born on April 12, 1926 on Berry Street in Springdale, Arkansas to James LaFayette Joyce and Gertrude Brooks Joyce. In 1928, her brother, Thomas Autry Joyce, died of complications following a tonsillectomy. That same year, Bettys mother developed tuberculosis and she died in 1932, when Betty was about six years old. Betty had been living with her sister, Ina Marie Ford and her husband, Weyma Ford for about a year when she came to Roswell to live with Weymas mother Ollie Ford Cronic and her husband O.B. Cronic. She lived with the Cronic family throughout her school years, graduating salutatorian and Coyote Queen of Roswell High School class of 1944. Betty went to work as a secretary at Smith Machinery Company, where she met her future husband, H.C. Berry of Dexter. She and H.C. were married in 1945 and enjoyed nearly 61 years together.

Betty was not only and incredible, wonderful mother and dedicated, devoted wife, but worked part-time as secretary, bookkeeper and payroll clerk for the family farms and ranches. Her faith in Jesus Christ was a central priority of her life, and she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Dexter for 60 years, where she served her Lord as an ordained elder, Presbytery session clerk, Sunday school teacher and treasurer of the Ollie McNeil Circle for more than 25 years. She was also active in the community of Dexter, serving on Republican election committees and working at the local election polls, participating in the Dexter Womens Club and Garden Club, and supporting her children as a Boy Scout den mother, PTA officer and, for her children, a part-time referee, full- time taxi driver, and always-present nurse, counselor, friend and confidante. She also supported the American Diabetes Association and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Eastern New Mexico Medical Center.

In sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, in darkness and in light, Mom loved her life, her Lord, her children, her husband, her family and her friends. She taught us all, through her example of a life well-lived, the meaning of unwavering faith, unhesitating sacrifice, unlimited service, and unconditional love.

People are like stained glass windows; they sparkle and shine when the

sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if

there is a light within.E.Kubler-Ross
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Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
12 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

First Presbyterian Church
201 W. 5th
Dexter, NM  88230
Saturday, November 15, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

Ollie McNeil Circle
P.O. Box 367
Dexter, NM  88230

American Diabetes Association
2625 Pennsylvania NE, #225
Albuquerque, NM  87110