Ethel Whitener Berry

Ethel Whitener Berry, 99, of Jacksonville, FL passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Born in Burke County, NC on July 1, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Samuel Winfred Whitener and Ollie Nigaro Williams Whitener. Ethel attended Morganton High School and retired from Skyland Textiles. She was a member of First Baptist Church all of her adult life and Salem United Methodist Church in her youth. She served for many years in the Mother’s Morning Out program at First Baptist Church. Ethel enjoyed working in her gardens and will be remembered for her sought-after hand work.A loving mother and grandmother, Ethel is survived by her son, Larry Wesley Berry of Jacksonville, ex-daughter-in-law, Beverly Brown Terry of Orlando, FL; grandchildren, Kathryn Berry Carter and her husband, John, of Germantown, TN and Jeffrey Winfred Berry and his wife, Leslie, of Jacksonville; great-grandsons, Wesley Alan Carter, Ashton Wade Carter, Samuel Brooks Berry, William Alexander Berry, and Winfred Scott Berry and many Nieces and Nephews and their families.In addition to her parents, Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Winfred "Wynn" Berry; a son, John Winfred Berry; all of her siblings: Lura Mae Brittain, Joe Whitener. Margaret Duckworth, Clyde Whitener and their spouses. She was the last of her generation of Berrys and Whiteners.The memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM, Saturday, May 18, 2013 in the Chapel of First Baptist Church with Pastor Emeritus, Bob Shepherd officiating. The family will receive friends in the church Parlor following the service.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Pre-school and After-school Program, P.O. Box 459, Morganton, NC 28680 or to Salem United Methodist Church, 1206 Salem Road, Morganton, NC 28655.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.