Ann Elizabeth Powers Berry was born January 28, 1931 in Paris, Tennessee to Turney P Powers, a conductor on the L & N railroad, and Effie Tatum Powers, both originally from Dickson County. She married Bill (William Joseph) Berry in 1957 and moved to Clarksville where she lived for the rest of her life. Ann died of pneumonia on March 2, 2013 after a long fight with dementia.
Ann loved to teach and did so at the Parmer School in Belle Meade, the Ft. Campbell school system, the First Presbyterian Church, and East Montgomery Elementary School. She was ahead of her time in encouraging her students to build self-confidence through achievement. She evaluated teachers for the Career Ladder program in the 1980s and enjoyed meeting fellow teachers all over the state but her real home was the classroom. Undoubtedly Ann taught a student who lacks fond memories of her but her family has never met one.
Ann graduated from then Memphis State College in 1953 where she was an active participant in the life of the college including as president of Sigma Kappa sorority and Miss Memphis State. In Clarksville she was similarly active and treasured her time with her friends in the Elegante Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and her church Circle. She never lost touch with her very first neighbors on Coy Circle in Clarksville, nor with friends from college, her roommates before she was married, or the many friends she had in Clarksville. She loved music, dancing, and books but her friends and family most of all.
Ann retired from teaching in 1994 to spend time with her husband, even though in large measure that meant spending time in the mountains surrounded by crowds in orange. She wasn't really much of a fan of either orange or mountains or the Vols but she did love and support Bill so she went and had a good time. She was a fine wife just as she had been a devoted daughter to her parents and to Bill's parents as well.
Ann shared with her mother a heartfelt wish to live independently, not in a bed in a home not knowing anyone or able to do for herself. Thanks to the extraordinary love and kindness of the Clarksville community, and Ann's very special neighbors and friends, and in the last years the tolerant and caring staff at Uffleman's and Arden Courts (Louisville) she was able to live out that wish more than anyone might have expected. Her family is grateful beyond words to all of them.
Ann and Bill shared a devotion to Madison Street United Methodist Church. Bill was a faithful member of the Willard Blue Class, and Ann taught every children's Sunday School class at one time or another. The Ann and Bill Berry Fund at Madison Street will support the church's education ministries and those who would like to remember them could do so through that fund.
Ann will be buried in Memorial Cemetery, Paris, Tennessee. There will be a memorial service at Madison Street United Methodist Church on March 16 at 11 am, with visitation at the church beginning that morning at 9 am.
Ann is survived by many cousins and by her daughter-in-law, Kendra Foster, and son, Turney Berry, all of whom are thankful for the humor, kindness, faithfulness and love Ann brought to their lives and the memories she leaves behind to be treasured forever.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.