Patricia Beard Berry

Patricia Beard Berry, 91, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2017 at her Sandy Springs, GA home. Born in Valdosta, GA on May 13, 1926 to James Leslie Beard and Dorothy Marie Dekle (of Marianna, FL), Patricia was a graduate of Marianna High School (1944), and married her childhood sweetheart, Richard Parks Berry (Marianna), in New York City on the day of his graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 1948. During a marriage of nearly 66 years, and as the proud wife of a military officer, the mother of six children, and always the “standard bearer” for a family that loved her, Patricia relocated the family 17 times, finally settling into the home she selected in Sandy Springs in September of 1973. Despite the many moves, her family never lost the comfort of home, because home was wherever she was. Throughout her life, she produced great works of art through her many hobbies, which included rug hooking, ceramics, and gardening. But she was most proud of the children she nurtured and gently inspired to follow their own very different paths, and the special and unique connections she had with each one. Patricia and Richard were active members of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Brookhaven, as well as the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family in Jasper, GA. The family extends its sincerest appreciation and love for Patricia's caregivers Dede Ekue and Malen Nicol, who were by her side in friendship and caring for the last several years, and for Angie Bonilla, who served as her faithful and dedicated helpmate for years. The nursing care provided in her own home by Agape Hospice Care could not have been more professional and heartfelt. Patricia is survived by her six children, Ann Berry Ward of Atlanta, Leslie Berry Elliott (and Bruce) of Jasper, GA, Richard Berry, Jr. of San Jose, CA, Bill Berry (and Sue) of Milton, GA, Louise Berry Sargent (and Renford) of Newmarket, England, and Neel Berry (and Patricia) of Dallas, GA. Her life continues to inspire eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. A visitation with family will be conducted on Friday, September 8 from 6:00 pm until 8:00pm at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mt. Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs, GA. A memorial service and reception for friends and family will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Brookhaven. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Episcopal Relief and Development, an organization committed to fighting poverty and disease around the world, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017, or online at www.episcopalrelief.org.