Sidney Leon Berry

Sidney Leon Berry, born December 24, 1942, in Charleston, Arkansas entered eternal peace as he went home to be with the Lord on February 9, 2026, just 5 weeks following his 83rd birthday. This also would be 28 years to the very day he lost his own father, and at the exact same age as well.

Sidney was preceded in death by his beautiful, most loyal wife of 55 years, Betty Lucille (House) Berry born of Arbuckle Island; his parents, William “Bill” Daniel Berry and Wilma Faye (Whittenberg) of Charleston; his oldest brother, Billy Jack Berry of Charleston; his younger sister, Shirley Ann (Berry) Powell of Pocola, formerly of Charleston.

Sidney met his true love while working at the Chicken Plant in Bloomer as a second job during his senior year of high school. Sidney was so very book smart, learning and knowledge was a gifted talent for him. As a young student he was moved up not once, but twice ahead of his original classmates and friends, placing him in the Class of 1960 instead of 1962, skipping 6th grade and one other grade. Sidney being a Charleston Tiger, and Betty being a Lavaca Golden Arrow, the two literally met in the middle, setting down roots in Bloomer, Arkansas. Where the two would invest at a very young age in land, and building their first new home, after several moves in rental homes. The couple knew then the dreams they shared were not just for the both of them, but they were making plans for their children, to one day own the land themselves, and raise their own families in the very location they both worked so very hard to purchase. Sidney married his “Lucille” as he would at times call her, on October 13, 1962.

Sidney was a very talented carpenter, he took his knowledge, and his determination and set forth to build the home they would raise their four children in. Sidney worked the milk farm as a young man, early on, then moving to Allen Canning, and a short time at a gas station off 5th street in Fort Smith, just behind the old bus station. Sideny worked construction for Dyke Brothers Lumber in Fort Smith, he worked up from the lumber yard to driving over the road, in an 18-wheeler, delivering orders, on up the chain to being the top, leading salesman, where he would receive awards and recognition for his work ethic and achievements. Sidney would retire from Dykes Brothers and later work in the sales office for Jim Walters Holmes, where he sold all Jim Walter Holmes material in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, and from there, he would continue working in carpentry his entire life. In his later years, he worked for Fort Smith Lumber until the tornado of 1996 would destroy his place of employment. After rebuilding and moving shop with Burt Lewis, he would continue his career with River Valley Door and Trim, where one of his sons, Dewayne, would join him in work, and later his grandson would also join the workforce with them both. Sidney retired doing what he loved, working for his son, Dewayne, at Platinum Doors in Charleston. Sidney loved building, he loved working side jobs, roofing, laying bricks, trimming homes, anything using his hands, providing everything he could hope for, to his family. Sidney would take his family to most the work sites, where the kids would be right on the roof with him, driving in nails, mixing cement, and putting in the work.

When he wasn’t working his daily job, they traveled in their early years of marriage. They would travel the US, always on outings, vacations, or camping with extended family and friends and friends of the children. It was nothing to load up a truck full of kids, in the back of a ford pickup truck, no seatbelts, just a camper shell, and hit the roads, to see Dog Patch, the Passion Play, or just huge trips to local parks and lakes.

Sidney was a deacon at Central Freewill Baptist Church in the 1980’s, where he and his wife both served the church, worked with the youth group, and sang every time the doors were open. Sidney loved picking his Gibson guitar, piano lesson, and learning to play the organ. He loved photography, always photographing weddings, family, events, and always setting up a slideshow for family to enjoy. There was not much he couldn’t or wouldn’t do. Summers for him and the family could be anything from cutting ricks of wood in the winter, to teaching the kids to earn their summer vacations, to huge trips with the church, to just game nights at the house with the entire family.

He was always all about the next best, newest thing. It didn’t matter what it was. It was nothing for him to decide one day he is going to purchase a ceramic shop, kilt and all. Or go all out on model airplanes, and fly every weekend at Ben Geren, back when they had a fly area for such models. He always had to have the very best of everything, and always went for what he wanted. He always maintained his youthful side, still wanting to have all the very best thing and do all the cool things, keeping up with his kids, riding all the rides, never backing down from a challenge. He was also known to be stubborn at times, and very hardheaded, and set in his ways. Still, always funny, laughing and cutting up with everyone. He was loved!

He is survived by his three sons and one daughter, Delbert and wife, Carrie Berry of Van Buren, Dewayne and wife, Kathi Berry of Charleston, Karren and husband, Jon Robison of Charleston and Dale and wife, Leah of Charleston. Sidney had eleven grandchildren, Latosha and late husband, Nicholas Cozort of Greenwood, Steven and wife, Ashley Creek of Charleston, Jakob Berry and Hannah of Fort Smith, Braylee and husband, Tyler Calvert of Fort Smith, Kyndal and husband, Peyton McDaniel of Fort Smith, Kenley and husband, Joseph Hamby of Russellville, Aryana, Adi and Abbigail Robison of Charleston and Gracie and Pyper Berry of Charleston and nine great grandchildren, Derek, Ashley and Toby Cozort of Greenwood, Madelynn Lucille and Elijah Jon Creek of Charleston, Jaycee Beth Calvert and baby boy, Calvert due in Summer 2026, Hiedi-Jo Hamby of Russellville and Harper Kate McDaniel of Fort Smith. He was also survived by two sisters, one brother and one sister-in-law, Geneva Owens and the late Don of Little Rock, Linda Irvin of Fort Smith, Buster Berry and wife, Margie of Fort Smith and Connie (House) Cox and husband, Ronnie of Fort Smith. He was loved by too many nephews and nieces to count.

It can’t go without being said though, Sidney had one little girl, that stole his heart after the loss of his wife in 2017. Sidney and his wife never allowed pets for the kids growing up. Let it be known, he was indeed raised around animals his entire life, and he did like animals, but his bride was not raised around animals at all, just the opposite, and she was literally terrified of all animals. As life would go, there was never an animal allowed in the home, then comes a little rescued dog named Lilly Ann, rescued from a dump pound in Huntsville, Arkansas for Sidney’s grandson, Steven. Little did they both know then, that mixed, abandoned, sad little puppy already had her owner, but she wasn’t telling them that. Lol. After the loss of Betty, Lilly filled the void, the loss Sidney felt with every single breath he took. One day of treats would lead to two, and then days became years, and that dog became his very best friend!!!! They ate together, they played, they watched tv, she sat in his lap, in the house, on his recliner. You can imagine the shock and disbelief the children and grandchildren all felt. Still, that dog was his dog. They belonged together, and nothing or no one was going to keep her from him. Eventually the grandson would learn, he had in fact lost his dog, she was now “grandpa’s dog”.

The snow led to Sidney falling on August 24, while attempting a quick trip to the mailbox, in the ice-covered snow. That fall led to a very fast trip to the ER with a much broken ankle. Sidney had to stay with his daughter as she was providing care for him. His biggest concern was “his Lilly”, he needed to get back to her, she needed him, and he needed her. A second return trip to the hospital on the 29th, returning home again on the 31st with a surgery date set for Feb 9th, God had other plans. As his daughter got up to help him get dressed for surgery Monday Feb 9th, just hours prior to his scheduled surgery, a blood clot broke and immediately traveled and multiplied in his lungs. It was too much and too many for his body, though he fought a great fight to the very end. We are so proud of the fight he had in him!

The family wants to thank each and every person taking a role in the heroic efforts made in treating him, doing everything in their power to save him, and also give the utmost care to the entire family! From the Sebastian County 911 dispatchers, the Lavaca first responders, to the local fire departments, to the Sebastian County EMS, the nurses, doctors, maintenance, housekeeping, aides, imaging, ER, the FSPD, Sebastian County Sheriff’s Dept., to future Sheriff, Wyatt McIntyre, McConnell Funeral Home, Jackie Davis and long standing family friend, Brother Jimmy Cook, THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Your efforts, your time, everything done, did not go unnoticed, and the family can never repay you for all you did. We can’t personally say enough about these individuals!!! We are certain we have forgotten someone, and we apologize in advance. But if you played any role in the care given to our father and out family while at or in route to Mercy, GOD BLESS YOU!!

To the Class of 1960, please know how much you all meant to him. He never stopped talking about his classmates. Every year a reunion rolled around, he was excited to see you all. His friends meant the world to him, so please know, he was so proud to be a part of that class, the stories never stopped! Today, let there be no doubt, Sidney is most definitely rejoicing with the angels today in paradise, with his wife, and his loved ones. Let it be said, personally, there is no doubt he did everything right to make sure and know, he would most definitely be reunited with our mother again one day. We thank you God for your forgiveness and mercy!

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, February 12 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with a private graveside to follow at Measles Cemetery in Lavaca. Jimmy Cook will officiate. Viewing will be Wednesday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, sons and nephews that would like to take part.