Funeral services for L. Buel Berry will be conducted at First Baptist Church Sanctuary at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 30, 2015 with Pastors Mark Bryant, Fred Lewis and Tommy Johnston officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Galyean, Gene White, Don Deaton, Kenneth Ward, Clyde Nichols, Lum Lumsden, Robert Carpenter, Jimmy Lloyd and the deacons of First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday March 29, 2015 at West Oaks Funeral Home. Services A private burial service will later be held at City Cemetery.
L. Buel Berry was born in Edgewood, Texas on December 2, 1922 to S. W. and Laura Berry and passed away March 27, 2015. He graduated from Edgewood High School in 1940 and attended Texas A & M for 2 years then enlisted in the Air Force in 1942 serving in Italy until the of the war. After returning from the war he married Deolva Jordan in 1945. She preceded him in death in 2008. Returning to college at Sam Houston University he graduated with a degree in Agriculture and taught Ag for 3 years. He began work with Farmers Home Administration (USDA) in 1951 and retired in 1982 after 32 years of government service. After a few months of retirement he went to work for Sulphur Springs Building and Loan as a staff Appraiser. After 6 years he began working privately as an Appraiser until 2000 when he retired to his farm.
He was always active in the community and First Baptist Church. He served as a deacon in 4 churches. He taught the Radio Bible Class at First Baptist Church for 24 years and served for many years on various church committees, pastor search committees and the Rehobeth Baptist Association Board. During his time with FHA he worked in 18 different offices throughout the state. He was instrumental in helping many of the dairy farms in Hopkins County get started as well as helping establish many of the rural water systems here. He had received the Honorary Future Farmers of America Degree. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Professional Ag Workers, President of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival, Grand Marshall of the parade, President of the United Way, President of the NET Livestock Association and many other civic duties. He and Deolva enjoyed traveling and camping for many years.
Buel is survived by a brother Haskell of Canton, his sons, Ricky and wife Becky of Sulphur Springs, and Randy and wife Denette of Pittsburg, grandchildren Michele and husband Jon Colburn of College Station, Kristi and Byron Maxton of Mt. Vernon and Brian and Kelly Berry of Pittsburg and 7 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by Deolva, his parents, 2 brothers and a grandson Ben.
Memorials may be made to the ROC building fund at First Baptist Church, 116 Oak Avenue, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.
