Mary Jewell Berryhill Kimberly

Mary Jewell Berryhill Kimberly, 95, of Fleming Island, Florida, passed away peacefully Monday morning, April 3, 2023. Mary was born to James Samuel and Pearl Berryhill on December 10, 1927, in Cochran, Georgia. She loved telling stories of her years growing up on the farm, playing varsity basketball at Cochran High School and later at the local Middle Georgia College, socializing with her many hometown friends, and especially getting back to Georgia for family reunions and visits.

On May 25, 1948, Mary married Laurence Kimberly, her husband of 53 years who predeceased her in 2001. Upon marriage, she left Georgia for Jacksonville, Florida, where she lived most of her life before moving to Fleming Island to be near her children. Her time in Jacksonville was filled with cookouts, fish fries, strawberry and orange picking, and potlucks featuring hand-churned ice cream (EVERYBODY had to churn!) with the most fabulous Murray Hill neighbors and friends that anyone could imagine! Many of those years were spent working in early childhood and elementary education as a teacher and a paraprofessional in Duval County schools, especially Ruth N. Upson Elementary.

Murray Hill Baptist Church was a big part of Mary’s life. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years and spent countless hours decorating tables and helping with events of the XYZ group. Participation and volunteering with many community activities such as Red Hat, NARFE, PTA, and Murray Hill Preservation Association were yet another big part of her life. Before her husband’s passing, she loved attending USS Cummings ship reunions with his Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was predeceased by her brother, James, and sisters Evelyn and Nina Ruth. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Caroljo and Rusty Creighton and Mary Jane and Greg Carter; grandchildren Clayton Carter (Katie), Kevin Carter (Brittany), Kimberly Carter, Stephen Creighton (Katya), and Andrew Creighton (Courtney); and great grandchildren Liam, Beckham, and Charlotte Carter and Owen Creighton.

The family especially would like to thank the caring and skilled caregivers who helped make our mother’s final journey a more peaceful transition, allowing her to enjoy her last days in her own home per her wishes.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home on Saturday, April 15th prior to the graveside service.

A celebration of life is also planned for Saturday, May 20th, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at Murray Hill Baptist Church. For those wishing to honor Mary with a remembrance donation, the family suggests St. Jude or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Kimberly family.