Carol Portwood Berry

Carol Portwood Berry, 75 of Morganton, NC died peacefully at her home surrounded by her husband and children on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 after years of battling cancer. Born August 15, 1937 in Emanuel County, GA, she was a daughter of the late Robert Fielding Portwood and Adell Lockhart Portwood. Mrs. Berry attended Augusta College, Augusta, GA and was a graduate of Houston Community College, Harris County, TX. Following a professional career in accounting and payroll in Augusta, GA and Houston, TX, in 1991 she resigned her postion as Comptroller at Stephens Office Supply in Houston to retire with her husband to Morganton. In Morganton, Carol worked as a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Clinic and at Burke United Christian Ministries and taught the Cauble Class at First Baptist Church where she was a member. An ardent lover of music, art, and books, she was a discerning and compassionate woman who also deeply loved God, His Creation, and her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the father of her children, Thais A. Durden.She is survived by her husband, Frank K. Berry; her daughter, Deborah Durden Grimaud and husband, Keith of Louisville, KY; her sons, D. "Andy" Durden and wife, Kelly and David W. Durden and wife, Jodi all of Atlanta, GA; her step-sons, Anson S. Berry and wife, Janet of Columbus, OH and Evyn K. Berry of Mainville, OH; her step-daughter, Catherine Berry Musick and husband, Michael of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Kirsten Grimaud Moody and husband, Clay, Joshua M. Grimaud and wife, Christy, Jacob A. Durden and companion, Amber Green, Noah S. Durden, and companion, Taylor Barber, Ansley V. Durden, Matthew D. Durden, Sarah T. Musick, Zachary M. Musick, Stuart K. Berry, Andy T. Berry, and Ethan T. Berry; great grandchildren, Isaac, Caleb, Abigail, Elizabeth Moody, Hunter Durden, and Oakly Durden; brothers, Rollie F. Portwood and wife, Bobbie, Lonnie L. Portwood and wife, Johnnie, and Glenn S. Portwood and wife, Carole; sisters, Margaret P. McGowan and Frances P. Stroud and husband, Delmer; her step-sister, Lamar B. Blanton; and fifteen nieces, nephews, and their spouses.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013 at First Baptist Church, 502 W. Union St., Morganton, NC with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr., Rev. Bill Rotan, and Rev. Fred Schuszler officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor beginning at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Combined Choirs Annual Concert Fund, First Baptist Church, P. O. Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680-0459 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Morganton, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.