Ellen I Berry

On October 10th, at 9:43 p.m., my best friend on earth passed away. She also happened to be my momma. Ellen Berry was a devoted wife for 46 years to my father, Norman Berry. When he passed away in 2003, it was just her and me. We had great times together.

Momma Ellen was also a devoted sister. She was the oldest of three, Nancy the youngest, and Patsy in the middle. Unfortunately, Nancy and Patsy are gone as well.

There are four nieces, Debbie, Diane, Kimberly, and Brenda. Momma Ellen adored all of them and was very proud of them.

Her sister friend was Lois Behan. Miss Lois passed away a couple of months back. Her husband, Dave, is still around and a close friend. Lois and momma grew up in Alexandria, went to school there, and certainly enjoyed each other’s company.

There were also the phone pals, Lera Galenis, Ethel Bell, and Linda Botkin. They would talk and have a gabfest. What times they had.

Momma was the simplest of people. Just to sit on the porch and listen to the birds sing gave her great pleasure. Also talking to the neighbors dogs when they barked. She said she could understand what they were saying. She enjoyed shopping or just looking around at Walmart or Lowes, especially in the garden shop. This was another passion. Thrift stores, good wills, you name it, she was there.

When she started to become homebound, things changed. Staying in the house, her hobbies were mostly reading. She listed to gospel music and she liked to watch HGTV. She loved reruns of Perry Mason, Diagnosis Murder with Dick Vandyke, and her favorite, Murder She Wrote.

In late September, she had a doctor’s appointment at Augusta Health. She loved everyone, right down to the cleaning folks. She never met a stranger. After her appointment ended, I suggested that we take a ride in the country. She was thrilled. We looked at beautiful vistas of Blue and White clouds tucked away, high up in the mountains. We also noticed some deer, these again were simple pleasures. It is hard to imagine what she will be seeing now…

She will be with my daddy. And, her best friend, Lois. They will be plotting as to which thrift store to see. Then where they will eat. I have to say, for me, it was a privilege being her son. Having a true blue friend, and mom. Now that she is gone the memories will start flooding in, and I will cry a bucket of tears.

I would like to say one more word in closing. When momma would talk to anyone on the phone or see them in person, she had a little saying, “I hope to talk to you or see you soon.” By the way, momma, I hope once again I will be able to talk to you and see you soon. God speed.

Your loving and only son, and friend, Martin…