Elwood "Pete" Berry, Jr. of Sandy Hook, MS, passed from this life into God’s presence on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the age of 76. He was born in Tylertown, MS to Elwood “Buster” Berry, Sr. and Ouida Muriel Bulluck Berry. Pete was an excellent student and also worked with his father on their farm from a very young age. He always had a deep appreciation for nature and life. He spent many hours tending the family property and taking care of the livestock. When his father passed away in 1986, he spent his time divided between his job at Ingalls Shipyard and working the family farm, two full time jobs. He cared for his mother, Ouida until her passing in 2023. His dedication was unsurpassed. One of his fondest memories was of the old fashioned kitchen and the smell of his mother’s cooking.
In 1968 he graduated from Pearl River Junior College with a degree in Drafting and Design Technology. He took these skills to Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, MS where he spent over four decades, beginning in the drafting department, and at the time of his retirement, a lead cost estimating engineer. He retired to be a full time farmer. This was his ultimate dream. Pete was devoted to his family and his farm. He served the Lord and his community with compassion and dedication. Not only did heaven gain a precious angel, but he has also finally met our heavenly father, who was number one on his list of famous people to meet. He will be forever missed and will remain in our hearts for eternity.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Berry is preceded in death by a grandson, Ethan Jennings Berry.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Hilda Berry; sons, William "Jay" Jennings Berry, Douglas Taylor Berry, and Jeremy Braxton Berry (Kimberly); three grandchildren, Presley Berry Cochran (Rusty), Evie James Berry, and Taylor Lee Berry; and three great-grandchildren, Braelynn Mae Cochran, Everleigh Brielle Cochran, and Alaina Jayne Cochran.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM. Dr. Jerry Watts will officiate and burial will follow at the Berry Family Cemetery in Sandy Hook assisted by Jeremy Berry, Jay Berry, Rusty Cochran, Ronnie Lowery, Braxton Sandifer, and Holdyn Sandifer as pallbearers with honorary pallbearer, Donald Lowery.
