Hazel Berry Obituary

Hazel Reed Lloyd Berry SUMMERVILLE - Hazel Reed Lloyd Berry passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, November 8, at the age of 103. She was born September 13, 1922, in Syracuse, NY, to Grenville Bomar Lloyd, Sr. and Emma Reed Askin Lloyd, and grew up in Plandome, Long Island, NY. Hazel Reed graduated from National Park College in Forest Glen, MD, and worked at B. Altman & Co. in New York City before meeting her husband-to-be, Jim Berry, on July 4, 1950. After a whirlwind courtship and six-week engagement, they were married Sept. 2, 1950, and enjoyed 61 happy years together. The Berrys moved from Atlanta to Summerville in 1963. Hazel Reed worked as the Administrative Assistant at the Summerville Academy from 1969 - 1979. She was an active member of St. Paul's Church where she was on the Altar Guild, serving as chair from 1980-2007, and also wedding director for many years. Hazel Reed spent many years volunteering for a number of community organizations. She was a member of the Summerville Preservation Society, one of the founders and a board member for Summerville's Second Chance Shop, a board member and volunteer for Meals on Wheels from its inception in 1980 until 2017, and a member of Flowertown Garden Club serving in various officer positions. Following her mother's legacy, she joined the Rebecca Motte Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1980 and served in multiple leadership roles over the years. She enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader, an usher for the Footlight Players, Dock Street Theater, and Charleston Symphony Orchestra; a docent for Summerville and Charleston house tours and Drayton Hall Plantation; and a reading mentor for students in Summerville Elementary School's HOSTS reading program. In recognition for her many years of community service, Hazel Reed received the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2016 from Summerville Rotary Club. Hazel Reed also loved gardening and bringing beautiful floral arrangements to many friends in times of need. When she wasn't involved in community activities, she spent time enjoying her grandchildren, visiting her dear friends, reading, painting, needlework, and helping others in any way she could. She enjoyed preparing food for the various board meetings she attended and hosting lovely parties during the Berrys' 42 years of living in their historic Summerville home, "The Teacherage." She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 61 years, James Watkins Berry, Sr.; and her brother, Grenville B. Lloyd, Jr. She is survived by her sons, James Watkins Berry, Jr. (Beth) of Edisto Island, Christopher Lloyd Berry (Rita) of Summerville, and daughter, Pamela Reed Berry-Kacpura (John) of James Island; as well as five grandchildren - James (Tripp) Berry III (Marie) of West Ashley; Cathryn Berry Poplin (Tripp) of Sumter; Christopher Berry, Jr. (Joanna) of Jacksonville, FL; Hannah Berry of Alexandria, VA; and Savannah Reed Kacpura Dixon (Bradford) of Chattanooga, TN; two great-granddaughters, Hazel Marie Berry and Emerson Hazel Berry; and great-grandson, Miles Watford Poplin. Hazel Reed made so many friends among the staff and residents of The Village of Summerville during her 18 years of living there. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the loving care she received by all who assisted her, including the Hospice nurses with Agape. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Village of Summerville, Second Chance Shop, the Summerville Preservation Society, or Agape Care Group (187 North Church Street, Suite 201, Spartanburg, SC 29306). Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 pm Sunday, November 16, at Parks Funeral Home in Summerville. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 17, at St. Paul's Church, 316 West Carolina Avenue, Summerville, with a reception immediately following the service. The interment will be private. Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com