Vernon Montgomery Berry

Vernon Montgomery Berry of Manchester, known to many as “Berry”, left this world at the young age of 90 on Thursday, June 23, 2016, while working in his beloved hay fields at home. Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 28th, at Leesville Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Morris & Rev. David Plank officiating. Burial will follow in Leesville Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 6 – 8 p.m. Mr. Berry, the son of William Oswald & Gertrude Maud Berry, was born June 2, 1926, in Lamesa, Texas. He was a farmer & rancher in Fannin County, and in 1960 he and his wife, Dorothy, bought land and moved their operation to Manchester in Red River County. While in Manchester, he maintained a successful cattle operation and was well known in the industry. “Berry” was an extraordinary man who was diagnosed with polio at a very young age, and was forced to use crutches for the rest of life. While many may have considered him to be handicapped, he refused to allow his physical impairments to hinder him, knowing that God had greater plans for his life. His legacy will be forever remembered by his family, friends, and all who knew him. His unwavering faith in God was a solid foundation in his life. When he first moved to Manchester in 1960, he attended Bible Way Assembly of God Church, and was currently attending First Assembly of God Church in Wright City, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Brandon Michael Brackman, and four sisters, Lola Thomas, Ruth Hudson, Blanche Phillips and Frances Glabe. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Dorothy Fay Hammett Berry, whom he married on Dec. 23, 1948. Their three children, Barbara Scheets of Reno, Dee Dee Schiller of Pittsburg, and Vernon Glen Berry of Manchester. The grandchildren who knew him as “Papaw” include, Krystal Miller & husband Scott of Pittsburg, Hannah Berry of Bagwell and Jenna Berry of Bagwell, great grandchildren, Keagan Miller and Eli Montgomery Miller along with several nieces & nephews and a plethora of friends. Casket bearers will be: Blake Pittman, Terry Stout, Tony Whittle, Gaylon Hammett, Kaleb Hammett and Jimmy Hammett.