Funeral services were held Monday, November 15, 2010, at New Hebron Baptist Church in New Hebron, MS for Mr. Laney A. Berry, age 89, who passed away November 12, 2010.
Visitation was on Sunday, November 14, 2010, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel in Prentiss, MS.
Laney A. Berry was born December 8, 1920. He was the son of Y. G. Berry and Ora Mae Lane. Laney was raised in New Hebron and graduated from Mississippi College with a major in Chemistry and minors in Math and Physics. He was drafted by the Philadelphia A's, but never got to play professional baseball because of WWII. Instead he was excused from the armed services by President Truman and assigned to the Manhattan Project; first in Oak Ridge, TN then on to Hanford, WA. There he worked producing plutonium for the atomic bomb. He actually got to shake Paul Tibbits' hand before his famous mission on the Enola Gay.
He met his wife of 64 years, Yvette Morin, who had come to Hanford from Minnesota. They raised seven children, ran a grocery store, fixed houses to rent, and he still found time to play and excel in softball, basketball (his Rec-Tech team beat the Harlem Globe Trotters in 1948) and tennis. He was inducted into the M.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Mississippi State Hall of Fame for tennis in 1994. He won more than 40 championships in tennis and his highest ranking was #3 in the United States.
God and family were his greatest loves-there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his family. He never knew a stranger and was always eager to help anyone who needed a hand, a loan, food or just some company. His zest for life was evident in his big smile, firm handshake and positive attitude. He was a self-made man, a tribute to his generation and will be missed by all who knew him.
Mr. Berry is survived by his children, a son, Lupe Berry of Pearl, MS; daughters, Suzanne Rittenhouse of Bellevue, WA, Lynn Pierle of Port Townsend, WA, Beatrice Chavez of Yakima, WA and Tammy Browning of Aitkin, MN; 11 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Yvette; two sons; and a sister.
Online condolences and a guest registry is available at www. saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
My name is James F. Walker, Jr. I am the son of the late James F. Walker from Taylorsville, Ms. Both of our dads attended MC where they were classmates and team mates and later worked together in Richland, Wa. where I was born. When I was young, I remember going to the Mississippi coast where all of you were living at the time and spending the day with all of you. Lynn, I later met you at USM as we were there at the same time. Everybody knew me then as Bo Walker. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. He was a special friend of my dad and I can remember hearing many stories about your dad. He had a special place in his heart for Mr. Berry.
James "Bo" Walker
November 16, 2010
I loved Mr. Laney with his big smile and sincere hug when I saw him and he was a dear friend of my father who died at age 89 also in 2000. Virginia Turnage
November 16, 2010
I did not know Mr. Berry, but one of my frieds knew him well. Pop Cody's daughter, Jackie, told me about Mr. Berry's death and suggested I read his obitutary. He must have been a man anyone would be honored to know. He was one of the "greatest generation" that every lived. We owe Mr. Berry our gratitude for the work he did and the man he was.
Jim Stingley
November 16, 2010
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Funeral services provided by:
Saulters-Moore Funeral Home - Prentiss2714 Columbia Avenue, Prentiss, MS 39474
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more