Evelyn Kibler Berry

A memorial service for Mrs. Evelyn Kibler Berry, of Morganton, will be held at the First Baptist Church, 502 W Union St, Morganton, 2:30PM, Saturday, September 11, 2010. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Bland, Rev. Dr. Bob D. Shepherd, Rev. Fred Schuszler & Rev. Bill Rotan. The family will receive guests 1:30PM – 2:20PM, in the church sanctuary prior to the services. Mrs. Berry was born October 16, 1905, in Morganton, NC. She died August 24, 2010, at Abernethy Laurels, Newton, at the age of 104. She was preceded in death by her husband Russell Lamar Berry, her parents, Gertrude Wagg Kibler and Michael Benedict Kibler. She was the granddaughter of William P.M. Kibler and Louisa Bristol Kibler and of the Rev. Dr. Thomas H. E. Wagg and Mary Ellen Burkett Wagg. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Mozelle Kibler Horton and husband O. Lee Horton, Burkett Kibler Bergl; brothers, Michael Benedict Kibler, Jr., and wife Margaret Blackwell Kibler, and William Eugene Kibler. She is survived by one sister, Mary Kibler Osenga and husband Robert of Quartz Hill, Calif., and a sister-in-law, Ann Hollingsworth Kibler (Mrs. William Eugene Kibler).

Mrs. Berry is survived by her daughter, Lamar Berry Blanton, the widow of Charles A. Blanton, II, of Richmond, Virginia, and son, Frank Kibler Berry and his wife Carol of Morganton. Grandchildren: Sabra Harper Willhite and husband John Willhite; James A. Harper, III; Russell Harper and wife Susan; John Harper and wife Lisa, of Richmond, Virginia; Elizabeth Harper Lucchesi and husband David Lucchesi of Alexandria, Virginia: Anson Berry and wife Janet of Columbus, Ohio; Evyn Berry of Lexington, SC; Catherine Berry Musick and husband Michael Musick of Grayslake, Illinois. Great -grandchildren: Carnes and Caroline Willhite; Russell, Jr., Jesse and Cabell Harper; Gayla, Christopher, Kemp and Evelyn Harper, James and Harper Lucchesi; Stuart, Andy and Ethan Berry; Sarah and Zachary Musick. Step-grandchildren: Deborah Durden Grimaud and husband, Rev. Keith Grimaud, Paris, France; Andrew Durden and wife Kelly, Atlanta, GA; David Durden and wife Jodi, Raleigh, NC; step great-grandchildren: Kirsten Moody & husband, Clay, and Joshua Grimaud & wife, Christy; Jacob and Noah Durden; Ansley and Matthew Durden. Also 4 step great-great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Berry attended Greensboro College and graduated from Davenport College. She taught in the Morganton public schools upon receiving her degree and again during WWII. She was active in the American Red Cross, assistant Girl Scout leader and was on the Girl Scout Council. She was a charter member of Burke County Historical Society, Historic Burke Foundation, Grace Hospital Guild, Burke County Arts League, and Morganton Service League. She was the society editor of The Burke Times. She was a member of First Baptist Church and was president of the Women's Missionary Union several times, taught Sunday School, was superintendent of the Primary Department and director of the Girls' Auxiliary.

She taught a Bible Study group at Grace Ridge Retirement for many years. She was a charter member of The Study Club, a book club.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church Turning Dreams into Deeds Campaign or to The Combined Choirs Annual Concert expenses, First Baptist Church, PO Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680.