James Simmons Berry

James Simmons Berry "Soup"

was born in Hardin County, Tennessee on July 13, 1935 the son of the late James Smith Berry and Olive Simmons Berry.

He was a graduate of the 1953 Central High School class in Savannah, Tennessee and attended Memphis State University in Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Berry worked for Reynolds Metal Company in Sheffield, Alabama as a Senior Control Engineer. While at Reynolds, he worked in Process Control Development, Manufacturing Technology Laboratory, and Corporate Research and Development. His worked carried him to several countries, mostly Venezuela, Germany and Canada, as well as several places in the United States. During his time with Reynolds, he had several inventions which were patented by Reynolds Metal Company. Mr. Berry took an early retirement when offered at age 55. He then began doing technical support for the Savannah Police Department and Hardin County Sheriff's Department. Mr. Berry continued with the Hardin County Sheriff's Department until 2022. At the age of 87 he finally retired, but never quit messing with computers. Mr. Berry was a Hardin County Commissioner for several terms and also served on the Savannah Industrial Board. During the 1960's and 1970's he was a Volunteer Fireman for the City of Savannah. 

Mr. Berry departed this life on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 in Savannah, Tennessee at the age of 89 years, 5 months, and 11 days.

He is survived by his children, Jim Berry, Tina Smith, Lisa Crenshaw and her husband Tom, and Greg Berry and his wife Sonia; grandchildren, Clint Berry and his wife Malory, and Chris Smith and his wife Kinsee; great grandchildren, Briggs Elam Berry and Landon Michael Smith; and one brother, Sam Berry and his wife Betty.

Memorial donations may be made to: 

ALSAC/St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Daryl Worley Foundation, 325 Main Street, Savannah, TN 38372

Firefighter Support Fund, C/O Central Bank, Attention: Melvin Martin, 485 Wayne Road, Savannah, TN 38372