Mrs. Joan Sullivan Berry

Born in Doddsville, Mississippi, Joan was the second child of the union of Alice Dempsey and Bedford Lee Forrest Sullivan, Sr. The family moved to Drew at the outbreak of World War II.

She graduated from Drew High School in 1953 and enrolled in the recently established Department of Nursing, soon to become the School of Nursing at the University of Mississippi. She graduated with honors in 1958. Her nursing career was spent in the Jackson area in hospitals, private practice and as Associate Professor at the School of Nursing. She was also one of the first flight nurses for the Mississippi (Air) National Guard. In 1960 she married Howard Earl Berry of Prentiss and they established a home in Jackson. He asked her to assist him in his new pipeline construction company and she started another career in business. She was active in church work, community work, educational organizations, needle work and gardening. She and Howard loved to travel and were able to take many wonderful and exciting trips near and abroad. After Howard's death, she continued traveling with her older grandchildren and introduced them to the thrill of new and different cultures. She was a faithful member of Redeemer Church, PCA and rejoiced in the love and fellowship of the congregation and ministries.

She is predeceased by her parents; her brother, Bedford L. Sullivan, Jr.; her husband, Howard; and a granddaughter.

She is survived by her son, Lee Forrest Berry and his loving wife, Ame Luke Berry; and grandchildren, Savannah, Austin, Samuel, and Daniel Berry, all of Flowood.

A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Church, PCA, 641 E. Northside Drive, Jackson, Mississippi at 11:00 am on Friday, April 16, 2010, with visitation Thursday, April 15, 2010, between the hours of 5 and 7 PM at Wright and Ferguson on High Street and after 10:00 AM Friday at the church. Graveside ceremony and burial will be at 2:30 pm in the New Hebron Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Capital Fund at Redeemer Church.