Jennifer Kari Daise Berry

Jennifer Kari Daise Berry, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and established Harrisonburg resident, suddenly passed away at the age of 38 on Thursday morning, July 30th, 2020 at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg due to health complications unrelated to covid-19. Jennifer was born on May 27th, 1982 in Clinton, MD. She developed a love for music and musical theater at St. Andrew’s School that led her to the Eastman School of Music where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance in 2004. While at Eastman, Jennifer met her husband, David Berry. Bound by a mutual love of music and their Christian faith, the two married on June 11, 2005. Together they had two sons, David and Joshua. While pursuing a career in music education, she discovered her passion for early childhood education and ultimately switched programs, receiving a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2007. Jennifer began her career as an elementary school teacher at The Calhoun School where she taught for ten years. In 2017, she joined the Harrisonburg community to teach Kindergarten at Stone Spring Elementary. Jennifer was known for her beautiful singing voice, devotion to children, loving and kind spirit, ready smile, relentless optimism, and selfless attitude. Jennifer is survived by her husband, Dr. David E. Berry, III, and two sons, David E. Berry, IV and Joshua T. Berry. Her surviving parents are Aminese and Stanley Daise. Surviving siblings include Celeste Wheeler and her husband, Alusheyi, John Daise and his wife, Sophia, and David Daise. Surviving parents-in-law are Rev. David E. Berry Jr. and Sharon Berry. Surviving sisters-in-law include Candace Byrd and her husband, Aaron, and Danielle Berry. Surviving nieces and nephews include Nora, Ava, and James Wheeler, and Micah Byrd. An open-casket, public visitation will be held (with masks) at Lindsey Funeral Homes & Crematory on 473 South Main Street from 12 to 5 PM on Friday, August 7th, 2020 with an opportunity to leave cards and messages for the family who will not be in attendance for COVID-19 public health reasons. The Burial and Memorial Service will be private. We will be having a celebration of life service honoring Jennifer at an as yet undetermined time in the future. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to the Jennifer Daise Berry Compassionate Support Fund online at: Gofundme.com/f/jennifer-daise-berry-compassionate-support-fund.