Clifford Berry, Sr., age 91, of Marion, NC, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Landmark of Laurel Creek Rehabilitation Center in Manchester, KY.
Clifford was born November 13, 1932, in the Fairview community of Hampton, TN, to the late Arthur Samuel Berry and Lula Belle Byrd Berry. Following his mother’s passing shortly after his birth, Clifford was raised by his uncle and aunt: Samuel Wesley and Amanda Roberts both who preceded him in death along with Samuel’s children: Tim Roberts and Beatrice Roberts Byrd.
He was also preceded in death by two wives: Mary Alice Hartford Berry and Betty Brookshire Berry; one son: Terry Lee Berry; a daughter-in-law: Sue Berry; 7 brothers and 5 sisters: Bird Berry, Harold Berry, William Robert Berry, Roy Berry, McArthur Berry, Elgin “L.D.” Berry, Troy Berry, Daisy Hodge, Hassie Berry, Beulah White, Irene Berry and Trina Berry.
After serving three years in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, Clifford spent over 40 years as a lumber grader finally retiring from Georgia Pacific Lumber Company. He was of the Freewill Baptist faith. Clifford will be fondly remembered for his tenacious independence, love of fishing and enjoyment of spending time with his family. He was known to walk miles a day after the age of 90, enjoying hiking outdoors throughout his life.
Those left behind to treasure Clifford’s memory are his daughter Lou Ellen Williams of Appalachia, VA; two sons: Clifford (Revelle) Berry, Jr. of Manchester, KY and Tommy Dee (Mary Jo) Berry of Tazewell, TN; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and five great, great grandchildren. Three sisters: Stella Benfield, Trula Berry and Susie (Wayne) Sneed all of Elizabethton, TN. Also blessed to be a part of Clifford’s family are two stepchildren: David (Deanna) Hall and Teri Davenport of North Carolina, five step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren; along with a host of other relatives and friends who mourn his passing.
Family and friends will celebrate Clifford’s life on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Gilliam Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap, VA. Family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 that morning. Military honors, by local VFW and DAV posts and the Virginia Army National Guard Honors Team, will follow at the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens in Big Stone Gap, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request cherishing Clifford’s memory by donating to his favorite charity: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or making a donation to a charity of your choice.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Clifford Berry, Sr.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.