Teri Lee Fitch BERRIMAN

Teri Lee Fitch

Berriman

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Teri Lee Fitch Berriman, 59, formerly of Winchester, entered Heaven's gates Thursday, May 1, 2014 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Hearts on earth were found to be heavy and filled with sorrow, while our loved ones in Heaven shouted with joy.

Teri was born May 24, 1954, in White Hall, the daughter of Dennis E. and Virginia M. Evans Fitch.

Teri grew up on a farm but farm girl she was not – she was the book worm and was called by her family, "Miss Brains". She attended and graduated from North Greene High School in 1972. Teri earned and maintained her licensure as a Registered Nurse from Passavant Memorial Area Hospital School of Nursing on May 29, 1975. Teri then joined the team of caring healthcare professionals at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Ill., where she worked in various departments, to include the Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit. Teri left Memorial Medical Center in 1984 and joined the ranks of Illinois' finest Elder Care professionals on Sept. 30, 1984, when she began her career with the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, Long Term Care Division. Teri held many positions throughout her nearly 30 year career with the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, most recently earning the position of Senior Public Service Administrator/Section Chief, Long Term Care Field Operations Special Investigations Unit. Teri had many accomplishments and accolades in her very short time on earth and as a result of her unwavering care and love of her elders; she was inducted into The National Academic Honor and Professional Society in Gerontology in October 2012.

Teri enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and especially cherished every moment she had with her four legged companion, Ceaser. Teri also lit up with joy when she was around all of her favorite little two-legged friends and taught her granddaughter, Lucy Grace Peterson, that "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"! She was known to make the finest brownies around.

Teri was of the Baptist faith and served her Lord with honor.

Teri married Ralph E. Berriman on April 2, 1977, in Virden, Ill., and he preceded her in death on Aug. 1, 1995.

Teri was the proud mother of two children, Tara Leigh and Phillip Andrew.

Teri is survived by her son, Phillip Berriman (Ashleigh Peterson) of Springfield, Ill.; sister, Anne (husband, Daniel) Ford of White Hall, Ill.; brothers: Everette (wife, Sandy) Fitch of Racine, Wis., Randy (Eileen Eigenman) of Nauvoo, Ill., and Larry (wife, Kathy) Fitch of Rockport, Ill.; aunt, Dorothy Lou Cox of Winchester, Ill.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Teri was preceded in death by her parents, Dennis E. and Virginia M. Fitch; husband, Ralph E. Berriman; daughter, Tara L. Berriman; sister, Sonja K. Hardwick; maternal grandparents, Russell E. and Erma H. Evans; paternal grandparents, James "Bug" and Anna Young; nephews: Richard Fitch, Keivan Ford, Scott and Dennis Crow; and niece, Kensley Ford.

A Celebration and Remembrance of Life will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at Daws Family Funeral Home in Winchester, Ill., followed by a visitation where family will meet with friends from 4-8 p.m.

Teri loved and supported all men and women in our Armed Forces. The family is requesting that all service members in attendance, past and present, assist with celebrating Teri's love and devotion to our service members by wearing their serviceable service uniforms.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to: The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Teri will be cremated in accordance with her wishes and a private family committal service will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be left at dawsfuneralhome.com.