Rena Viola Berry

Rena Viola Berry

December 29, 1917 ~ December 29,2020

Mrs. Rena Viola (Downs) Berry passed peacefully Tuesday morning, December 29, 2020 on what was her 103rd birthday.

She was born December 29, 1917 in Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana to the late Alfred Benjamin and Lydia Kelley Downs.

Rena was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Ernest Franklin Berry; three brothers, Eldredge, Oscar and Lacy Downs and three sisters, Verdie Angel, Mary Tyler, and Lillian Coulter.

When the second wave of the Spanish Flu hit in 1918, Rena was a mere 3 months old. She was 9 months old when World War I ended! Rena married her “One and Only” on August 12, 1939 in Columbia, Louisiana after weeks and weeks of saving money from Ernest’s pay. After moving to Kermit, Texas Rena became a mother to two children and was employed by Kermit Independent School District for 24 years. She would go on to live a long and full life which allowed her to watch her family grow into five generations. To everyone that knew her, her biggest hobbies were plants, flowers, family….and football.

Rena is survived by one son, Mike Berry and wife, Patsy of Dublin, Tx; one daughter, Karen Berry of Midland, Tx; one sister, Marie Parker of Lubbock; three granddaughters, Donovan Rutledge of Midland, Erika Berry Dunton and husband Derek of Gordon, Tracy Seider and husband Roy of Gatesville; one Grandson, Michael Berry of Grand Junction, Co.; ten great grandchildren, 15 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2p.m. Saturday, January 2, 2021, at Erath Gardens of Memory near Stephenville, TX. Stephenville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Brother Ronnie Calcote officiating.