November 5, 1941 – August 9, 2024
Obituary
Joy Dell Berry, age 82, a long-time resident of Martinsville, Texas and member of Melrose Methodist Church passed away on Friday, August 9th in Mt. Pleasant after a courageous battle with Vasculitis. Joy was born on November 5th, 1941, in the former logging camp known as Camp Worth in San Augustine County, Texas, to parents, Ras and Ruth McSwain.
In 1964, Joy married Patrick Berry. They had two children, Michael and Priscilla. In 1970, they moved to Martinsville where she and Patrick farmed until Patrick’s death in 2019. Together they operated a dairy farm in Martinsville, Texas for nearly 40 years. While Patrick tended to the farm with Joy’s help, Joy tended to everything else which included keeping the books, paying the bills, making meals, keeping house, transporting kids and keeping up with Patrick. Joy was also active in the real estate business they ran for many years, handling all the secretarial duties required of the business.
Joy loved cooking, gardening, crocheting and sewing. She was often trying a new recipe or learning a new crochet stitch. She was the happiest when she was visiting with her children and grandchildren.
We will always remember her sitting in the front porch swing listening to new stories and reminiscing of the old ones.
Joy is survived by; son Michael Berry of Comanche, Texas; daughter Priscilla Ellis and husband Hal. Also left to cherish her memory are 5 grandchildren, sisters Sherry Bomer, Alice Joy Large and brother, Phillip McSwain as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Patrick Berry, parents Ras and Ruth McSwain, brothers Freeman McSwain, JD McSwain, Tommy McSwain, sisters Mureline Aldridge and Susie McSwain and beloved grandson Jacob Berry.
Services will be held Saturday, August 17th at 10:00 AM at the Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel in Nacogdoches, followed by graveside services held at the Berry Family Cemetery.