Celestine R Berry

Celestine Rabbe Berry, 95, of Crawford, Texas passed away peacefully, on April 26, 2021, at her home. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2021 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Crawford, Texas, followed by interment at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Coryell City, Texas. Visitation will be Thursday April 29 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Cole Funeral Home, McGregor, Texas.

Celestine was born in Coryell City, Texas on February 17, 1926, as the only child of Elsa and William Rabbe. She spent her childhood on the family farm and graduated from Gatesville High School in 1942, at the age of 16. After high school, she moved to Dallas to attend Draughon Business School. In Dallas, she lived with Frances Smith and met Frances’ brother, Melvin Berry, while he was stationed near Dallas, in the Air Force. They married January 27, 1945 during World War II.

After the war, Celestine attended Sam Houston State University. Celestine and Melvin raised their children in Crawford and Cuero, Texas before moving to Dallas, where she worked for Employers Insurance Company. Following retirement, Celestine and Melvin returned to Crawford where she loved attending church and Sunday school at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and exercise classes at Getterman Wellness Center in Waco. She led a very full and active life cherishing all her friends and family in the Crawford area. She especially loved family gatherings, and watching the Texas A&M, Baylor, Dallas, and Houston sports teams. Celestine will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.

Celestine was preceded in death by her husband, of 56 years, Melvin; parents, Elsa and William Rabbe; and sisters-in-law and best friends, Frances Smith and Dorothy Graham.

Survivors include son, Michael Berry and wife, Arni, of Maui, Hawaii; daughters Kathy Huddleston and husband, Peter, of Houston, Diane Sample of Dallas; grandchildren, Billy Berry and wife, Becky Jo, of Bryan, Will Huddleston and wife, Anny, of Houston, Katherine Huddleston of Austin, Daniel Sample of Dallas; and great-grandchildren Zoey Berry and Harper Huddleston.

The family would like to thank Carol Valentine, who so lovingly helped care for Celestine in her last few months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Crawford, Texas or St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund in Coryell City, Texas.