Frances Rowland Holtsclaw Berry

Frances Rowland Holtsclaw Berry, 83, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 22, 2019, in Kernersville, NC. Born on December 25, 1935 to Ralph and Frances (Anderson) Holtsclaw, she nourished the people around her with her love and faith.

Frances’ faith in God was infectious and strong all her days. After graduating from high school, she attended Queens University before obtaining a B.A. in Bible and Religion from Agnes Scott College (’57) and a M.A. in Religion from Wake Forest University (’75). Upon graduation from Agnes Scott, she married Edward S. Berry, Jr. on June 4, 1957, in Decatur.

An avid reader and devoted teacher, Frances taught religion at Lees-McRae college in Banner Elk, NC. Throughout her life she was active in the Presbyterian Church, serving many congregations, along with her husband, as an Elder and Bible School teacher.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Edward S. Berry, Jr. and son, James Edward Berry. Frances will be forever loved by those of us she left behind. She is survived by her sister, Margaret (Balus) Chastain; two daughters, Lynn (Marty) McGowan, and Beth Berry; daughter-in-law Diane Berry; three granddaughters, Mindy (Jesse) Howard, Nicole (Chris) Gottfried, and Sarah (Ben) Walton; six great grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Lucy.

The funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, followed by interment at Oaklawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org, to Mandarin Presbyterian Church, 11844 Mandarin Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223, or to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville 904-737-7171.