Caletha Berry Obituary

Caletha Berry
WILLISTON, SC - The Home Goin Celebration for Mrs. Caletha Bush Berry will be conducted on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 12:00 PM at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church 5032 Fellowship Road Williston, SC 29853, with Reverend Dr. Joe F. Singleton and Reverend Stevie Berry officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Simmons Funeral Home of Williston, Inc.
Mrs. Caletha Bush Berry was born to the late Reverend Jessie Bush and the late Mrs. Euler Butler Bush on November 15, 1923 in Barnwell County, SC. She entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Aiken Regional Medical Center.
At an early age she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, received baptism and united with the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church where she faithfully served until her passing.
She attended the Mather School for Girls in Beaufort, SC where she received her High School Diploma. In 1949, she graduated from Morris College in Sumter, SC where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in English with additional graduate studies at South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina Aiken.
She was employed by Bamberg and Aiken County Public Schools as an English teacher, where she began her career at Four Mile High School in Ellengton, SC, Richard Carrol High School in Bamberg, SC, Martha Schofield High School and South Aiken High School in Aiken, SC. She retired as a professional educator after 39 years of loyal and dedicated service.
Mrs. Caletha Bush Berry was truly gifted musician and talented vocalist. Her distinctive and angelic voice graced many venues from South Carolina State Capitol to numerous places of worship. She was president and founder of the Ebenezer Gospel Chorus, where she shared her vocal talents and trained members to sing. For over 65 years, she led, arraigned and amassed a vast repertoire of gospel songs. Additionally, she served as music director of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, member of the James Bing Note Singers and was instrumental in the formation of the Jesse Brown Male Singers. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, a member of the Aiken County Retired Teachers Association and a member of the Morris College Alumni Association.
She was presided in death by her husband the late Deacon Layton Berry, sister Alean Bush, brothers; Rayford Bush, Reverend Phinizy Bush, Reverend Brookward Bush and Willie Bush.
She is survived by her four sons; Philip (Rosie) Berry, North Augusta, SC, Robert Berry, Williston, SC, Reverend Stevie (Trina) Berry, Augusta, GA, and Bobby (DeAndrea) Berry, Nashville, TN; three sisters, Cora Quattlebaum, Williston, SC, Sarah Howell, Mt. Vernon, NY and Clevie (Andrew) Corley, Norristown, PA, a brother; Ennis (Alberta) Bush, Sicklerville, NJ, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Family and friends may call the residence of her son Phillip Berry 371 Lake Murray Drive, North Augusta, SC 29841 or Simmons Funeral Home of Williston 13188 Main Street, Williston, SC 29853, (803) 266-7808.
www.simmonsfuneralhomeofwilliston.com