Dorethea E. Berryman

Mrs. Dorethea Emma Berryman, 69, of 29252 Bishop Court, Waverly, was called home by God saying "your battle has been won" on Nov. 25, 2009, at Waverly Healthcare Center.

She was born on April 2, 1940, to the late Berkely Green and Rebecca Bailey Hardy. Mrs. Berryman was educated in the Surry County Public School System and pursued a nursing assistant career. She was employed with Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, and MCV Department of Transportation. After relocating back to Dendron, she worked as a home health aide until her health declined. She loved to cook and helped raise people of all ages. She was baptized at an early age at First Baptist Church, Dendron, and sang with the Spiritual Singers of Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond. Mrs. Berryman was a member of Peace Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., Oak Grove Baptist Church, Philadelphia and Fifth Baptist Church, Richmond. Her civic affiliations include the Eastern Stars, the Elks Lodge, Friendship Savings Club and Marymakers Savings Club.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband, Arthur Lee Berryman; two sons, Tony Lane of Ohio and Samuel Lane of Dendron; four daughters, Phyllis Fowlkes (Keith) of Capital Heights, Md., Dorethea Lott (Billy) of Petersburg, Gloria Wilson (Walter) of Landover, Md., and Diane Bailey of Richmond; four brothers, Samuel Green (Ann) of Petersburg, John Willis Green (Gloria) of Gaithersburg, Md., Timothy Green of Dendron, and Joseph Green (Sue) of Silver Spring, Md.; three stepbrothers, Thomas Council of Philadelphia, Theodore Council of California and Ernest Hardy of Smithfield; four stepsisters, Patty White and Sarah Jones, both of Hampton, and Louvenia Floyd and Carrie Swann, both of Surry; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Helen Robinson, Betty Hopkins, Gerlene Berryman and Mary Berryman, all of Richmond; devoted friends, Alease Kernay, Ada Thomas, Vernall Blount, Joyce Gaines, Lillian Foster, Marie Jones and Barbara Jones. The family would like to thank the staff of Waverly Healthcare Center, Personal Touch Home Health, Liberty Dialysis Center and cab drivers Rob and Mr. John; and host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A wake will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, in the chapel of J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, with funeral services at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Pocahantas Temple Baptist Church, 10234 Branch St., Wakefield, Va. Pastor Lewis Allen will deliver the eulogy and the Rev. Michael Thomas will officiate. The remains will lie in repose one hour prior to service. Family and friends are asked to assemble at 11:45 a.m. at the residence the day of the service. Interment will follow at Swan's Point Baptist Church cemetery, 687 Swann's Point Rd. Claremont, Va.

Funeral arrangements are being provided by the staff of J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 219 N. County Drive, Waverly, VA 23890; the Rev. J.L. Dodson Sr., funeral director. Please send online condolences to www.jldodsonandsons.com.