Rachel "Rae" Friedman Berry

As a very small child, Rae asked her mother why she did not call her Rachel. Rebecca said to her daughter, you are a "ray of sunshine". She was never called anything else. Rae loved music, dancing, and fashion. She would perform singing and tap dancing around the state as a child. Kingstree news had her picture in costume at age 6, with words saying, "Off to Hollywood".

In 1947, she graduated with “honors” in dance, fashion, and popularity at Kingstree High School. The summer before college, Rae went to Myrtle Beach and spent the summer at Carolina Inn, helping to serve breakfast and dinner. She was at the beach during the day and then dancing half the night with friends. Rae and her friends decided to change some of the dance moves of the Jitter Bug to something smoother, this is how the Shag was created.

After summer, Rae went to USC in Columbia, SC taking up retailing and psychology. While teaching her USC friends how to dance the new shag in the evening at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, she needed a certain number of credit hours for her retailing. She was hired at Berry's on Main and Joe B. Berry swept her off her feet.

In 1951, she married Joe, and they had 2 children: Roxanne and Barnett. Rae continued to work at Berry's as a buyer and then produced fashion shows to promote new clothing lines. She also took care of her children, taking them to and from all of their activities. After 18 years of marriage, she got a divorce and soon moved to Florida.

In 1975, Rae continued her retailing work in fashion at Saks Fifth Avenue, Yves Saint Laurent and other stores. Her last workplace was in home design where she put together accessories for the final touch. At age 75, Rae moved back to Columbia, SC, where she continued her love for the arts, dance, and music — particularly the jazz music of Sara Williams and Amos Hoffman.

Rae was predeceased by her parents Rebecca and Sam Friedman, sister Rose Friedman, Anne and Milton Tretiak, and Meri and Melvin Gergel.

Surviving are her daughter Roxanne Corbett (Hugh-D), son Barnett Berry (Meredith), grandson Joseph Berry (Wizzy), granddaughter Evan Berry, great grandson Dov Barnett Berry, great granddaughter Zosia Bunny Berry, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery at 714 Blanding Street in Downtown Columbia, presided by Rabbi Norry of Beth Shalom Synagogue.

Rae gives many extra thanks to all her loyal helpers of the past, for their love, friendship, and compassion. Rae was so grateful for two caregivers, Mary Martin and Johanna Torres, and her cousins, Sandy and Duane Cox. Her children, Roxanne and Barnett, were always there for her.

Instead of flowers, Rae would ask that you donate to Multiple Sclerosis Chapter at 4601 Charlotte Park Dr. #100 Charlotte, NC 28217.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.