Simmie Junior Berry

Simmie Junior Berry, 73, of Caraway, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, April 27, 2011, surrounded by his loving family and friends after fighting a long, courageous battle with cancer. Born Jan. 14, 1938, at Caraway, he was the son of the late Simmie Jewell and Estelle Simmons Berry and had been a life-long Caraway area resident. Mr. Berry was a man of many talents and joys in life, but none matched his love for his family. He loved fishing with his grandchildren, gardening and working in the yard and with horses. He loved being surrounded by family recalling stories of his youth. He coached girls softball teams for many years taking them to state tournaments a few times. He was retired from Viskase in Osceola and had many friends there.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Margie Berry of the home; two sons, Randy Berry and wife Dottie and John Berry, both of Caraway; a daughter, Sandra Berry of Caraway; a daughter of the heart, Jewel Rhodes of Caraway; two grandsons, David Berry of Caraway and Joshua Berry of Valley View; two great-grandchildren, Christopher Berry and Racheal Berry of the home; a brother, Bill Berry and wife Freda of Newburn, Tenn.; a sister, Inez Lowery and husband Charles of Trumann. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Berry was also preceded in death by five brothers, five sisters and a grandson, Randy E. Berry, Jr.

Funeral services were 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the First Baptist Church in Caraway with Rev. Rick Stevens officiating. Burial was in the Caraway Cemetery under the direction of Faith Funeral Service of Manila.

The family received visitors from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church.

Pallbearers were Randy Berry, John Berry, Charles Pettit, Robert Pettit, Derwood Pettit, Donald Pettit, John Calvert and Jerry Bynum. Honorary pallbearers were the Caraway Class of 1957, Coy Johnson, John Austin, John Hattenhauer, Roger Bell, Eddie James, Jerry Vaughn, Bill Adcock and Donald Jeffers.