Berry Memorial Staff Page

Ralph Lawson Berry, Sr.
January 10, 1883 – March 8, 1951

Ralph L. Berry, Sr. was President and founder of the Ralph L. Berry Funeral Home on September 20, 1928. Ralph was the son of William Lawson Berry and Miranda Jane McMillian Berry. Prior to entering funeral service in 1917, Ralph was employed in the family molding sand operation in the Mt. Olive Community. On a cold icy Sunday morning, Ralph slipped and fell on the steps at Mt. Olive Baptist Church and severely injured his back. When Ralph tried to return to work he found that he could no longer endure the physical labor required filling the railroad cars with the sand deposits. Mr. E.B. Mann, a local undertaker, offered him a job finishing caskets. In those days the caskets were shipped unfinished by rail and the handles and other hardware had to be placed on the casket at the funeral home. He was employed with E.B. Mann for several years and later with Weaver-Sallings-Mikels Funeral Home. In 1924, Ralph received his embalmers license and chose the funeral profession as his ministry. Ralph lived and conducted himself by the Golden Rule. He established his business on friendships, trust, and goodwill to his fellow man. He set the standard by which all the Berry family has followed. Ralph was a member and Deacon of Mount Olive Baptist Church and trustee of the Mount Olive Cemetery. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and other civic organizations. He married Myrtle Henderlight in 1905 and was the father of five children, Thelma Berry Ford, Clara Berry Bolin, Fred Sr., Earl H., and Ralph L. Jr., all of which served in some capacity at the funeral home.

Fred Ogle Berry, Sr.
November 6, 1912 – August 13, 1976

Fred O. Berry, Sr. was the firstborn son of Ralph and Myrtle Henderlight Berry. Fred attended Mt. Olive Elementary School and graduated from Young High School in 1933. Fred would go to high school dressed in his suit and after class walk to the funeral home and help out with the daily schedule. After graduation, he attended Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, Tennessee and graduated near the top of his class in 1934. Fred was Vice-President/ Secretary-Treasurer of Berry Funeral Home from 1937-1951 and President and Owner from 1951-1976.

He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1945 as a Pharmacist Mate 2 class. During his time in the service, he was attached to the U.S. Marines Fleet Air Wing 16 93rd Marine Air Group and stationed in Brazil as a medical corpsman with the South Atlantic Force. Captain U.S. Army reserves as commanding officer 394th Graves Registration Company 1947-1961. In 1948, he pioneered the aero-ambulance service in the U.S.
Fred was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1961 and served there until 1964. He was elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 1964 and served until 1976. Conservation Legislator of the Decade 1960-1970, Legislative Conservation Award 1972. Distinguished Consumer Safety Award 1971.Member of the Rules and Calendar Committee in the Senate, Secretary of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, Chairman of the Senate General Welfare and Environment Committee.

Fred was active in numerous associations and organizations such as Member and Past President of South Knoxville Republican Club, Knox County Bee Keepers Assoc., Young High Alumni Association, President of East Tennessee Wildlife Council, Member of Board of the Better Business Bureau, Member and Past President of Tennessee State Funeral Directors Association, Member and Past President Knoxville Shrine Club, Member and Past Master Masonic Lodge, 32' Scottish Rite Mason, Member Zelma Grotto, York Rite-Knight Templer, Charter member Tennessee Bear and Boar Club, Member of National Funeral Directors' Association and served on the Emergency Planning Committee, Deputy Director Knoxville-Knox County Civil Defense. Elks, Eagles, American Legion, Charter member of South Knoxville Rotary, Charter Member Knoxville Lions Club, Charter Member South Knoxville Sertoma Club.
Distinguishing honors such as Honorary Fire Chief, Knoxville; Honorary Captain of Tennessee Highway Patrol. Fist Aid Instructor, having taught thousands of people 1st aid both civil and Military. Award Winner of the Civil Defense Pfizer Award 1961, Award of Merit Tennessee Funeral Directors 1968.

Fred was the father of four children, Fred O.Berry, Jr., G.Edward Berry, Nancy Berry Scott Lee, and Dr. David A. Berry.

Fred sang at numerous weddings and funerals and had a beautiful tenor voice. He loved life and the people of Knoxville. He provided outstanding service and compassion to the community through the funeral home. During his professional career Fred accomplished many things and held many positions, but he will be forever known for the deeds he did for others. His grave marker at Mt. Olive Cemetery states it best, "He Served Others."

Ralph Lawson Berry, Jr.
September 17, 1920 – November 19, 1984

Ralph L. Berry, Jr. was the son of Ralph L. Berry, Sr. and was a life long employee of Berry Funeral Home. He served as a Funeral Director and former Secretary-Treasurer. R.L. graduated Young High School in 1939 and immediately assumed his role at the funeral Home. During World War II, R.L. served as a Staff Sgt. with the Army 301st Medical Detachment from 1943 to 1946. He was a member and Deacon of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He was married to Mary Katherine Wolbach in 19 and was the father of two daughters, Jody and Susan Berry.

Walter Houston Berry
December 21, 1915 - March 22, 1986

Walter H. Berry was the son of Jesse Carl and Lula Berry and a nephew to the founder, Ralph L. Berry, Sr. He was employed by Berry Funeral Home from 194 to 1986 and a licensed Funeral Director for over 40 years. During his career at Berry Funeral Home, he ministered to numerous families and shared his compassion and laughter to all he knew. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 178th Field Artillery from 1941 to 1945. Walter was a member and Elder at Lake Hills Presbyterian Church and active in the South Knoxville Optimist Club, South Knoxville Lodge #769 F & A.M., Scottish Rite and Kerbela Temple. He married Ruth Tillery in 19 and had two daughters, Sharon and Rebecca.

Edward Samuel Weigel
May 10, 1912 - December 29, 2003

Edward S. Weigel was the son of James H. Weigel and Ina Berry Weigel, a nephew to the founder, Ralph L. Berry, Sr. Ed was one of the founding family members and former co-owners of Berry Funeral Home. Ed was employed from 1937 until his death in 2003 were he was Senior Vice President and a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for 66 years. He was a faithful member of South Knoxville Baptist Church for 76 years and a 50-year member of South Knoxville Masonic Lodge #769 F & A.M., 32nd Degree Mason, Scottish Rite. Ed was one of the driving forces during World War II, maintaining the business while so many of the Berry family were serving overseas. Ed unselfishly gave up his retirement to assist Fred O. Berry, Jr. and Eddie Berry run the business after the death of Fred, Sr. in 1976. Ed was married to Bertha Conner for 68 years.

G. Edward Berry
February 3, 1938 – November 12, 1986

Eddie was the second son of Fred O. Berry, Sr. and Georgia Rule Berry. He graduated from Young High School in South Knoxville in 1956 and following high school entered Dallas Institute Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas. Eddie graduated college in 1957 with high honors and was a member of Pi Sigma Eta, a national Morticians Honor Fraternity for academic excellence. He returned to Knoxville and became part of the third generation to enter the family business. After the death of Fred Sr., Eddie became Co-Owner and served as Secretary-Treasurer of Berry Funeral Home. He married Shirley Mizell on June 26, 1957 and had three children; Timothy E., Leigh Ann, and Jeffrey B. Berry. Eddie was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and a trustee of Mt. Olive Cemetery. Charter member and Past President of the South Knoxville Masonic Lodge #769 F & A.M. Avid sportsman, beekeeper, and enjoyed family genealogy and local history.

Fred Ogle Berry, Jr.
October 28, 1935 – February 12, 2003

Fred was the firstborn son of Fred O. Berry, Sr. and Georgia Rule Berry. He grew up in the Mount Olive community and graduated from Young High School in 1953. He accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, where he has served as deacon, choir member and soloist. One of his great joys was directing music. He served on several occasions as interim music director at Mt. Olive as well as leading the music at other area churches. As a teenager, Fred began his career with the family funeral business, Berry Funeral Home. He was a graduate of Dallas Institute – Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in 1954. During the Korean conflict, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for six years. The funeral business was more than just a job to Fred. He considered it a ministry that allowed him to help others through the most difficult times of their lives. As President of Berry Funeral Home, Fred has served thousands of families through the years. He has served as Past President of: The Knoxville Funeral Director’s Association, The Tennessee Funeral Director’s Association and The Tennessee State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. As a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, he served 15 years as chairman of the Mass Fatality Response Committee. On the Federal level he has served as Past President of the National Foundation for Mortuary Care, Commander and Deputy Commander for Region Four DMORT, National Disaster Medical System, under the direction of the U.S. Dept. of Public Health, Office of Emergency Preparedness. He was a founding member of the DMORT Weapons of Mass Destruction Team, which responds to terrorist events involving the handling of remains from a nuclear, biological, or chemical event. Through his work in emergency preparedness, he has responded to many deployments including the New York World Trade Center disaster. He was a certified FEMA Mass Fatality Course Instructor and has participated in the training of thousands of emergency personnel throughout the southeast. He served as chairman of the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee for Knoxville and Knox County; member of the Board of Directors, Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad and Captain of the Rescue Support team. Organizational memberships include: member and former board member, Kiwanis Club of Knoxville, South Knoxville Lodge 769 F & AM, Scottish Rite, Kerbela Shrine Temple, Provost Guard, Royal Order of Jesters, Kachina Klub, former Board Member Knoxville Area Communications Center for the Deaf, former Captain of the Knoxville Reserve Police. His family includes wife of 48 years, Marilyn Brooks Berry; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberlin Yvonne and James Buchanan; son and daughter-in-law Fred, III and Kelly Pack Berry; grandchildren; Jonathan Brooks Buchanan, Katelin Yvonne Buchanan, Lucas Bryan Buchanan, Zachary Thomas Berry, Bryson Ogle Berry, and Jesse Hunter Berry. Fred touched many lives during his life and will long be missed and respected as a leader and a friend.

George Washington McMahan, Sr.
December 12, 1912 – November 1, 1997

George W. McMahan was a faithful and loyal employee for 58 years. George continued to work at the funeral home part-time until the time of his death having worked with all four generations of the Berry family. He was a funeral assistant/maintenance man and assisted on numerous services, setting tents, keeping the grounds, building, and vehicle fleet spotless and clean. He always had a friendly smile and was a perfect gentleman. His life affected many people and he was well known and respected. George was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and could be found greeting people as they entered the church. He was married to Martha Culberson McMahan for 59 years and father to Annette Andrews, Jeanette Battle and George McMahan, Jr. and had several grandchildren.

Carolyn Tate Rose
April 12, 1953 – April 1, 2003

Carolyn was Director of Prearranged Funeral Services at Berry Funeral Home from 1990 until she left on sick leave in 2000. During her employment at Berry Funeral Home, Carolyn showed many the benefit of planning ahead and the value of prearranging their own funeral. Carolyn was a devoted member of Southside Baptist Church where she also taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Her life was a living example of the faithfulness of God. She was married to Ronald Rose, mother to Tracie Tate Lowe and Chris Tate, and grandmother to Hayden and Hudson Lowe.

Alda Ford Owens
November 30, 1911 - December 13, 2004

Alda Ford Owens served as our hairdresser at Berry Funeral Home for over 40 years. Alda was a lifelong member of Meridian Baptist Church where she served for over 50 years as a choir member and Sunday School Department Secretary. She also cared for the Meridian Cemetery for many years. Alda grew up in the South Knoxville community and graduated Young High School in 1930. She was the widow of Homer H. Owens. She was well know and respected in the community and at the funeral home. We will always remember calling Alda and asking her to come and style a lady's hair. The majority of the time we would just ask for an "Alda Do" with or without bangs and she would come and style the lady's hair to perfection. The staff and Berry Family will miss Alda tremedously and appreciate the hard work and dedication she gave at the funeral home.

Keating Verdin Shelley, Sr.
September 16, 1921 - March 17, 2006

Keating Verdin Shelley, Sr. was a loyal and faithful employee of Berry Funeral Home from August 1946 to October 1991. Keating was born in Packard, Kentucky to Thomas Ledford Shelley and Ruth Keating Shelley. He enlisted in the US Marines on August 18, 1942 and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. Keating participated in the battles at Roi, Namur, Kawjalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, Marianas Islands and Iwo Jima. His military service was a defining time in his life and he exemplified the true character of a Marine. Keating was “Semper Fidelis” always faithful. Always faithful to his family, Betty Brock Shelley, wife of 42 years and his son, Keating Jr.; his church, Beaver Dam Baptist Church, Knoxville; his work, a licensed Funeral Director with 45 years of dedicated service at Berry Funeral Home; and his friends. Keating was a 32nd Degree Mason, member of Knoxville Scottish Rite, and Williamsburg Lodge No 490 F. & A.M, Williamsburg, KY. Keating had a contagious smile and a genuine concern for others. He enjoyed reading and could often be found with a book in his hand. Keating was first employed when the funeral home was located at the end of the Gay Street Bridge. He worked with four generations of the Berry Family, made numerous ambulance calls and assisted with countless funeral services. Keating was a loyal friend to all who had the privilege to work with him. His contribution to the success of Berry Funeral Home will always be fondly remembered and greatly appreciated.