Mary Berry

Mary Lou Berry PORTSMOUTH - Mary Lou Berry, 87, passed away Aug. 12, 2008, in Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville, Va. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Russell "Bubby" Berry after 61 years of marriage; her sister, Gladys Manning and her parents, Nannie and Carlton Stallings. She is survived by her three children, Russell W. Berry Jr. and wife Jeannie of Suffolk, Gail Dobbs and husband Donnie of Staunton, Va., Lee Berry and wife Linda of Rogue River, Ore.; sister, Nancy Stallings of Hobbsville, N.C.; brothers-in-law, Hubert Berry and wife Robbie of Richmond, Va., Lewis Manning of Pinnacle, N.C.; and sisters-in-law, Ann Self and her husband Oscar of Virginia Beach and Vivian Berry and Ann Berry of Portsmouth. She had six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was a lifelong member of Jackson Memorial Baptist Church and very active in her Sunday school class. She graduated from Wilson High School and Norfolk Business College. She retired from the Portsmouth school system as a library clerk having worked in several schools in Portsmouth. We wish to give a very special thanks to the staff at Blue Ridge Christian Home in Rapine, Va., who became her extended family for the past year. We can't thank them enough for the love and care they gave our Mother. We also wish to thank doctors Marsh and Faulkenberry for their wonderful care and compassion. "Lulu" was a devoted mother and grandmother and loved dearly by all who knew her. We'll all miss Lulu very much. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Jackson Memorial Baptist Church, Chesapeake, by the Rev. H.B. Jackie Allen Jr. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jackson Memorial Baptist Church, 4316 Bruce St., Chesapeake, VA 23321. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.