Stafford Allen Berry, Sr., 90, of Wanchese, NC, went home to be with Jesus on June 23, 2022. Born in Hyde County, NC on December 14, 1931, he was the son of the late Cecil Lee Berry and Mabel Ruth Watson Berry.
He met and married the love of his life, Jean Rae Henley, on September 15, 1951. They celebrated 69 years together until the Lord called her home on June 13, 2021. Needless to say, he was lost without her.
Stafford was a wonderful storyteller. He had such a memory for the details of every chapter that was written in the book of his life. He grew up and attended schools in Dare County before entering the Coast Guard for a three year service stint. After leaving the Coast Guard, he became a meat cutter for about thirteen years until he answered the call to go preach the Gospel. He packed up his family and moved to Hendersonville, NC where he attended Fruitland Bible College for three years, graduating in 1967. His first pastorate was at East Dillon Baptist Church in Dillon, SC. He also pastored churches in North Carolina and Virginia. His last pastorate was at Rosebay Baptist Church in Swanquarter, NC. After he moved back home to Manteo, along with pastoring, he also owned and operated a small car business, Berry’s Used Trucks and Cars, for which he received a lot of friendly joking.
In his storytelling, the greatest chapter in his book would be that he would always give all the credit for his coming to the Lord and following the call to preach to his wife, Jean. He would say that she was such a wonderful Christian example and such a helpmate to him.
Stafford is survived by two children, Allen Berry (Sue) of Wanchese, NC and Kristy Byers of Engelhard, NC. He was also granddad to two grandchildren, Jessica Ballance (Sam) and Matthew Scarborough (Gabby) and five great-grandchildren, Adrianna Hoy, Moses Ballance, Addison, Vaeda and Easton Scarborough. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Berry, his brothers, Carol Berry, Ray Berry, Jimmy Berry, and Russell Berry, along with his sisters, Gladys Wilson, Linda Pentecost, Nancy Ann Berry and his granddaughter, Heather Lee Scarborough.
Stafford’s homegoing service will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Monday, June 27, 2022, at Twiford Colony Chapel with Pastors Reggie Parker and Jerald Craddock officiating. A time of visitation will be at 2:00 pm prior to the service. Private burial will take place at Austin Cemetery in Kitty Hawk, NC.
To plant a tree in memory of Stafford or send flowers to the family, please visit www.TwifordFH.com/send-flowers.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.