Sue Johnston Berry

Sue Johnston Berry (76) passed away in Northeast Methodist Hospital early on Friday April 25, 2025.

Sue was the third child born to her parents Murray Webster Johnston and Velma Ann (nee Boan), being born in Nowata, Oklahoma on August 16, 1948.  Sue was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.  On May 27, 1966 she married Dean Berry.  They were blessed with four children; three boys and one girl.  Mom and Dad shared the joys and sorrows of marriage for over 55 years, until Dad passed in January of 2022.

Their married life started in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Dad had begun his career serving as an Air Force Officer.  They were stationed in Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, finally retiring in New Mexico.

Beginning in Maryland, Mom and Dad opened their home and hearts to foster children that had come from troubled homes.  This continued for years after their move to New Mexico.

Once settled in New Mexico, mom showed her joy of animals, raising rabbits, chickens, dogs, and cats.  She even had a pet pig and a parrot.  Also, in New Mexico,  Mom began her career as a travel agent and loved the perks of being one.  She traveled extensively, both for work and vacations.  Mom visited China, New Zealand, England, Italy, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Belize, Tahiti, Puerto Rico, numerous cities in the US, and took several cruises.

Wanting to be near the ocean, Mom and Dad then moved to Corpus Christi.  Their home’s backyard ended on a canal that lead to the bay.  Sue enjoyed fishing and would often set crab traps in the canal behind her house.

In 2014, they moved again, settling in La Vernia.  Mom quickly made a large garden and got chickens.  In La Vernia they joined the La Vernia Methodist Church, with mom working in the church’s thrift store, Twice Blessed, often making a sweet dessert to share with the others working in the store.

Our mom truly loved children, animals, gardening, fishing, baking and of course traveling.  Mom is survived and missed by her four children, fourteen grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their children.

A memorial service will be held on May 16, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM, at the La Vernia Methodist Church.  We ask in lieu of flowers, that friends make memorial contributions to the Wilson County Animal Shelter or to the Twice Blessed Ministry.