Charles Berry of Columbus, Mississippi

April 14, 1931 - August 15, 2021

Charles Edward Berry, 90, devoted servant of Christ, beloved husband, father, and grandfather departed this world on August 15, 2021. There was a glorious reunion that day in heaven with so many members of his family and scores of friends who were there to greet him. A graveside service will be held Saturday August 21, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Cemetery with The Very Rev Sandra DePriest officiating. Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory, 903 College St. is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Tupelo, MS, on April 14, 1931, to the late Thomas Coleman and Alliene Atkinson Berry, he was the younger brother to his sister, Coleene, now living in Tennessee, and the big brother to Don of Jackson, MS, who preceded him in death. Charles graduated from Tupelo High School. He lived with the Baptist minister’s family his senior year, as the rest of the family had moved to Columbus to own and operate a dairy farm.

Charles enrolled at Mississippi State, and on one fateful evening, while on his way between Columbus and Starkville to attend a MSU Sigma Nu formal, he stopped to help put out a fire at the Arrington barn on Highway 82. Lounora “Poochie” Johnston, a Columbus girl and equestrian, was also there at the time as she often was, to ride horses. She was battling the fire alongside the others. As they fought to extinguish the blaze, another fire was ignited between Charles and Poochie.

On December 22, 1950, Charles and Poochie were married. Shortly afterwards, Charles joined the US Air Force, and was assigned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. While there he was hospitalized with Rheumatic Fever and suffered heart damage. As a result of this, he was honorably discharged and returned to Columbus where he spent the remainder of his life working in various furniture endeavors and serving his community.

Charles was a salesman and eventually president of Johnston Tombigbee Furniture Manufacturing Company, owner and CEO of Mississippi Woodcrafters Manufacturing, co-owner of Duke’s Furniture in Tuscaloosa, and also worked with Lounora Berry and Associates, an interior design firm started by his wife.

Initially members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Charles and Poochie helped to establish Trinity Church, and later were devoted congregants of The Church of the Good Shepherd. Charles served on the board of directors of The First Columbus National Bank, The Furniture Manufacturing Associates, and The National Wholesale Furniture Association. He was one of the founding members of Magnolia Tennis Club, and a charter member of the North River Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Second only to his faith was his devotion to family. He taught his four sons, Charles Russell, Scott, Reau, and Duke the essentials of the furniture business, and instilled in all of them a love of the outdoors and sporting. Like their father, each of them enjoy hunting, fishing, and sport shooting. Charles had an enormous affinity for and cherished friendships with many a plucky dog. A family favorite was the legendary Jack Russell Terrier, “Mighty Dog”. He was the first Jack Russell to come to Columbus back in 1976, and he was his father’s pride and joy. There is nary a Berry who doesn’t share this legacy of love for our four legged family members!

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Lounora Johnston Berry, his brother, Don Berry, his son, Scott Berry, and his grandson, Taylor Berry.

Survivors include three sons: Charles Russell (Jane) Berry, Reau (Kelli) Berry, and Duke (Laura Beth) Berry; one sister, Mrs. Colene Berry McCollum;

The Berry men, their wives, Charles’ eight grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren feel so blessed to have had this extraordinary man as their patriarch, and will always treasure his witness, his example, and his zest for life. We sure hope Henry Weiss is taking him to all the good fishing holes in heaven.

Serving as pallbearers will be John Murfee, David Waters, Marion Lloyd Waters, Mike Waters, Chuck Ellis and Norman Ford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

P.O. Box 2023

Columbus, MS 39704-2023

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105