Mary Louise Berry

Mary Louise Slaughter Berry died Sunday, December 7, 2008 at the age of 96, the last surviving child of the children of Rena Mae and Dr. Wilbur Shrewsberry Slaughter of Jonestown, MS. \ \ Visitation will be Tuesday, December 9 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence. A graveside service will be at Florence City Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 with Rev. Lynette Little officiating. \ \ Mary Louise was born on August 15, 1912 in Jonestown, MS. She loved growing up in the Delta, swimming in Moon Lake, and her travels as a young lady to New York City and Pike's Peak. At an early age, she discovered her life-long love of reading which allowed her to explore exotic places, experience different centuries and develop an inquisitive mind.\ \ Mary Louise graduated from Mississippi State College for Women with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She furthered her education, taking courses at Belhaven College and obtaining further degrees from Mississippi College. She retired after 27 years with Jackson Public Schools. Throughout her career with JPS, she taught at Lee Elementary, Wilkins Elementary, Baker and Elementary. At retirement, she was teaching 3rd grade at Isabel Elementary School.\ \ In her retirement, Mary Louise enjoyed staying active in various clubs including Fidelis, Alpha Delta Kappa, WMU, and the Florentine Club. She was a member of Robinson Street Baptist Church and then Southside Baptist Church when she resided in Jackson. Until becoming limited in her activities, she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Florence where she greatly enjoyed participating in the Sunny Seniors group. Until just recently, she enjoyed attending all of her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's sports events and other activities. \ \ She is predeceased by her husband, Coach Robert G. "Cooter" Berry, parents Rena Mae and Wilbur Shrewsberry Slaughter of Jonestown, MS, sister Kathryn Slaughter Worthington of Glen Alan, MS, brothers Dr. Wilbur Slaughter of Little Rock, AR, James Slaughter of Jackson, MS, and Charles Slaughter of Coahoma, MS, and nephews James Slaughter and Logan Slaughter, both of Houston, TX. \ \ She is survived by her daughter Kay Berry of Florence, MS, son Rob Berry and his wife Melinda of Shivers, MS, granddaughters Dre' Helms and her husband John of Florence, MS, Brooke Bernamonti of Birmingham, AL, Jessica Bernamonti of Starkville, MS, grandsons Robert Berry and Andrew Berry of Shivers, MS, great-grandsons Robert Logan Helms and Holden Helms of Florence, MS, sister-in-law Mary Frances Slaughter of Jackson, MS, nephews Bill Slaughter and wife Bethany of Madison, MS, Mike Slaughter and wife Bobby of Jackson, MS, Edward Slaughter of Coahoma, MS, Scott Slaughter of Washington, DC, and Carl "Sonny" Slaughter of Little Rock, AR, nieces Jan Stringer and husband Terry of Madison, MS, and Kathryn Slaughter of Coahoma, MS and numerous grand-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her life-long friend Catherine Reagan. \ \ She is preceded in death by beloved dog, Aster.