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Michael Berkley Obituary
Michael joined First Baptist East End in Newport News at an early age, and later, after becoming an adult, he joined Word of Truth Church of God in Christ in Columbus, Ga., where he became an Elder. After moving to Delaware, he attended Calvary Baptist Church under watch care. Later, he attended Morning Star Institutional Church of God in Christ until his health began to fail.
On Sept. 21, 1983, Michael was united in holy matrimony to Tereasa Legette of Mullins, S.C. They were married for 26 years and have two children. He joined the United States Army in 1984 and served for eight years. After leaving the military, he was a Correctional Officer in Columbus, Ga. Once he and his family moved to Delaware, he worked with the Sheriff's Department in Elkton, Md., and at Courthouse Twenty in Wilmington, Del. In 2003, Michael wrote about his life in a book called How Prayer Helped Me! This book was his personal testimony about the power of God working in his life and was written to inspire others to know that with God, nothing is impossible. Michael loved the Lord and his family and always made sure they were well taken care of.
Michael leaves to cherish his fond memories his faithful and devoted wife, Tereasa; one son, Michael Anthony; one daughter, Delilah Shonte'; his mother, Jessie Mae Lassiter; three brothers, John Berkley (Katherine) of Florida, Ralph Berkley of Florida, and James Berkley (Tiffany) of California; two sisters, Letha Cooper (Clinton) of Virginia., and Linda Carter (Anthony) of South Carolina; two uncles, Wallace and Fred Berkley of North Carolina; three aunts, Vinney Mae Stanley of North Carolina, Josephine Gore (Jesse) of South Carolina, and Mary Gause of South Carolina. He also leaves to cherish him his stepmother, Elizabeth Berkley of Virginia; and his mother-in-law, Lila Bell Legette of South Carolina, four brothers-in law, two sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Michael was preceded in death by his father, Johnell F. Berkley Sr.; his brother, Johnell F. Berkley Jr.; and his sister, Jessie Dell Berkley.
Memorial services will be held at New Beech Grove Baptist Church, 326 Tabbs Lane, Newport News, Va., on Sunday Nov. 8, 2009, at 2 p.m. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Berkley
Richmond Pope
December 1, 2009
To Jesse and Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. We use to live across the street from the Berkley's and we had so much fun running through Newsome Park Townhouse's. He will be sadly missed
November 10, 2009
To the Berkley family, The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works. Psalms 145:8-9 May the Lord bless and strengthen your family, Love you, Lee & Cynthia Cantrell/Columbus,GA
November 10, 2009
The Berkley Family,
We love you and our prayers are with you.
Kathy,Brent,Ashley,Danielle,Spencer
James, Jackie, Jerel and Jaquitta Perdue
November 9, 2009
To The Berkley Family,
God's strength be your during your time of bereavement. Earth has no tears that heaven can not heal. Continue to remain in God's hand. We love you. (via Phenix City, AL)
November 7, 2009
I would like to say I was sadden to hear of your loss but we know that to be absent from the body only means to be present with the Lord. My prayers are with the family and I want to say just keep your hands in God's hand and he'll carry you through. My prayers are with during this time of breavement and I love you always.
Daffie Miller Branch
Gale Taliaferro - Walker
November 7, 2009
To the Berkley Family,
I would like to express my condolences to your family during this time of bereavement. Please know that you are my prayers.
Blessings,
L. Wilson-Brown
November 7, 2009
To The Berkley Family:
Our sympathy to your family with the loss of your loved one.
Carlene Richardson
November 7, 2009
Berkley Family,
My deepest sympathy to you all. I have many memories of playing with Mike and the others in Newsome Park back in the day. Hold to his memories and wait until the resurrection to see him again. (John 5:28-29)
shelley webster
November 7, 2009
To the Berkley Family ,may god keep you and bless your family in your time of need.you are in my prayers.
Al (Chico) Johnson
November 7, 2009
May God lift up the entire Berkley family. I pray that each of you are given the strength and perseverance needed to endure the challenges you face during this difficult time. It's been many years since I've seen Michael, who was a childhood playmate at Newsome Park--many, many memories. I did get an opportunity to speak with Michael via phone a few years ago when I revisited VA. One could hear through his voice, the wisdom God had bestowed upon him. Michael, my brother, rest in peace!
Carolyn Boyd
November 6, 2009
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Frances L. Witherspoon-Hooper
November 6, 2009
To Jesse and The Family
May God substain you during this time of bereavement. Michael will be missed dearly. Allow the memories to live within forever; God never make mistakes; He saw that Michael was tired and weiry, he wanted him to rest so he now dwells in eternal rest with his Heavenly Father looking down on his loved ones smiling. Look to God for understanding and peace.
Warner Allen Bailey Sr.
November 5, 2009
To Berkley Family,
May the Grace of God be with each of you as you lay Michael to rest. I was saddend to hear of Michael's passing even though I haven't seen Michael or others members of the Berkley Family for many, many years, I can still hold on to the great memories of our childhood growing up in Newsome Park.
From: The Bailey of Newsome Park
Our Condolences goes out to each of you, God Bless you and may Michael rest in Peace!
Al Dutch
November 5, 2009
To Micheal and his family, we the Dutch family would like to extend our condolence to the family and pray that God will bless you all and be with you all in this time of sorrow. Micheal was a friend that we grew up with in the Newsome Park projects. We all went to school together and we haven't seen one another since school. We send our deepest sorrow to you all because we have miss Micheal since the Good old days. Our prayers are with the family and siblings. God Bless
Richard King
November 5, 2009
To the Berkley Family,
Continued peace and love be unto you.
Thanks for making a difference in the lives of God's people.
From: Richard, Pamela, Sherronda and Marcus King
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