Mary Evelyn Berry

On November 1, 2010, Mary Evelyn Perkins Berry passed away at Christian Care Center in Mesquite, Texas, where she resided since 2006. Known to all as "Eve" she was a remarkable woman. Eve was raised on a small family farm in Winnsboro, Texas, by loving parents William and Floye Perkins and she moved to Dallas where she married Air Force Captain Everett Ogden Berry, Jr. in January 1945. They had three children: Carol, William and Michael and lived and traveled to the southwest United States, Hawaii, Japan, Asia and Europe. In their children they instilled their zest for life and their compassion for helping others less fortunate. Their favorite past times were golf, travel and spending time with family and friends. Eve was such a giving and caring person and was someone you could depend on no matter what. She graciously and modestly volunteered her entire life in various charities and church activities and was known as someone you could always rely on. Following Everett's retirement from the Air Force as a Colonel and Base Commander, they moved to Odessa, Texas, where both were involved in many charitable activities including volunteering at First United Methodist Church of Odessa and also Hospice. Eve's work with Hospice became very important to her following the loss of Everett in 1996. She gave many hours helping those who depended on her in their hour of need.

Everett, known as "E.O.," and Eve enjoyed years and years with their pets, family and friends at their second home in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The welcome mat was always out for good friends and family members and their beloved A-frame was the perfect place for holidays and summers spent in the beautiful woods there, on the golf course, and skiing at

Sierra Blanca. Everyone was welcome at the Berry cabin.

This past September many Dallas-area Perkins and Berry family members attended a party at Christian Care Center in honor of Eve. She was able to see so many beloved family members this one last time. Included in that gathering were Kitty Perkins Thrift who had spent so much time visiting Eve these last four years and also Eve's sister Rachel Paty and daughter Martha Ann. And Kitty's sister Diane Hiett was with Mother on November 1 when she passed away, along with an amazing Hospice worker, Sandra Almanza, and they both brought love and comfort to Eve in her last few moments on Earth. Eve is survived by daughter Carol Shrigley and granddaughter Christina of La Jolla, California, and granddaughter Jennifer Shrigley and baby Emma Eve of Scottsdale, Arizona; also grandson William Berry and wife Lisa and great grandchildren Emma, William and Faith of Midland, Texas; sister Rachel Paty and daughter Martha Ann of Irving, Texas; and many Perkins and Berry relatives in the Dallas area. Eve was predeceased by husband Everett and both sons, William and Michael.

In losing Eve, we have all lost a great mother and a loving sister and

friend. Eve lived an exemplary life of caring and sharing and

hopefully that legacy will live on in all of us who knew and loved her. The words of Albert Pike, a soldier and writer in the 1800's, best describe how Eve lived her life: "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."

To that end, donations to Hospice in Eve's memory may be made in lieu of flowers.