Joe Berry was born in Washington D.C. on May 26, 1937 and went to be with his Heavenly Father on March 23, 2023.
Joe was a husband, father, grand-father, great grand-father, U.S. Army War Veteran, educator and follower of Jesus.
His military career in the U.S. Army spanned 22 years where he rose from a private at age 19 to Lieutenant Colonel at age 34. He was also a Master Army Aviator. He served in normal troop command and staff positions in the infantry and aviation field in Berlin, Germany, Korea, Hawaii and several tours in Vietnam. His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with cluster, the Meritorious Services Medal with cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and the Air Medal with 19 clusters. He also served a 4-year tour on the Army General Staff as a team leader in the Program and Budget office.
His civilian career included serving as the Director of Administration and pilot for the Good News Mission, operating a tax and bookkeeping business and as tax auditor for the state of Virginia.
In 1983, he moved to Marion where he served as a full time instructor in Accounting, Statistics, Economics and Computers as well as Vice President and Dean of Marion Military Institute. In addition, he served at Judson College faculty as an adjunct professor instructing in the business school.
After becoming a Christian in his teenage years he served his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He served in the Gideons faithfully for most of his adult life and took part in Bible distribution trips as far away as Chile, India, and Indonesia where they distributed hundreds of thousands of Bibles to share the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world. He also served as a member and elder at Marion Presbyterian Church.
He leaves an incredible legacy with his family. Joe is survived by his wife Ann W. Berry (formerly Ann W. Murfee) of 21 years. He is predeceased by his first wife of 43 years and mother of his children Arlyne M. Berry, and by his sisters Maxine Harris and Marlyn Brown.
Joe is also survived by his; daughter, Belynda Seligman (Tim), sons: David D. Berry (Eileen), Christopher C. Berry (Lori) and Emory O. Berry (Kim); grandchildren who lovingly refer to him as “Poppa”: John, Will, Jeff, Hannah, Lisa, Joe, Patrick, Teresa, Forrest, Lauren, Jennifer, McKenzie, Becky, Caitlin, Michelle and James. In addition to this incredible legacy, there are now 19 great-grandchildren with 3 expecting in the coming months. A Celebration of Life service was held March 27, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at Marion Presbyterian Church, 502 Washington St., Marion, AL 36756.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gideons International, https://www.gideons.org/donate in memory of Joe D. Berry or Marion Presbyterian Church, 502 Washington Street, Marion, Alabama 36756.
