Dr. John Calvin Berry

John Calvin Berry

Hattiesburg, MS

John Calvin Berry, 88, of Hattiesburg, MS, died Sunday, November 10, 2013 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was born March 4, 1925 in Yazoo City, Mississippi to the late Reverend Riley Berry and Mrs. Jannie Louise Wilson Berry.

His early education occurred in the Brookhaven Black Public Schools where he attended elementary and secondary schools. His high school career, however, was interrupted by World War II, when he was drafted into the United States Army where he served two years with the European African Theatre Operations and was assigned to the 646 Quartermaster Truck Company. In October 1945, he returned home to complete his senior year at Alexander High School in Brookhaven, MS. He matriculated at Alcorn A&M College (Alcorn University), Lorman, Mississippi, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1949. He married the former Audrey Nell Levy and they had six children.

Mr. Berry's career in education began 1949 where served as a High School Administrator for seventeen years in Jones and Jefferson Counties. He later accepted a position as Associate Director of a HEW Title IV program based at The University of Southern Mississippi.

In the fall of 1970, he was employed as an Instructor of Student Teaching at the University. He was the first black faculty member to be employed at The University of Southern Mississippi. While at The University of Southern Mississippi, he completed his Specialist's Degree in 1973 and his Doctoral Degree in 1976. Dr. Berry's educational career extended for more than three decades. He retired in 1985 as an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Research.

Dr. Berry was an active member and administrative leader at St. Paul United Methodist Church. He served in various capacities.

Among some of his achievements and honors are: Charter member of Gamma Pi Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Alcorn State University). He was honored as the First Black Faculty member at The University of Southern Mississippi in February 1993. He was also one of the first Alexander High School Legacy Hall of Honor recipients, Brookhaven, Mississippi, in 2006, and one of twelve selected to participate on the Biracial Advisory Committee for Desegregation of the Hattiesburg Schools. He was also Faculty Advisor Undergraduate Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., University of Southern Mississippi.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one son, Bobby LaJohn Berry.

Survivors: Audrey Nell Levy Berry, Hattiesburg, MS; one son, Daryl (Lure) Berry, Jackson, Mississippi~ four daughters, Mary Alice (Michael) Bowser, Pass Christian, Mississippi, Barbara Jean (Henry) Anderson, Los Angeles, California, Patricia Elmira (Johnnie) Blake, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Cheryl Denise Berry-Smith, Gulfport, Mississippi ,~ a daughter in law, Gloria Ward Berry, Tupelo, Mississippi, a brother-in-law, German Levy, Jr., Brookhaven, Mississippi ~Eleven grandchildren; Eleven great grandchildren, a host of cousins and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at the St. Paul United Methodist Church 215 East Fifth Street, Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation 1 hour prior.

R. E. Tyler Funeral Home, Inc., Brookhaven, MS, is in charge of services.