Doris Berry

Born on September 1, 1925 in Lodge, SC, Doris began a life to be remembered. Family meant the world to Doris. Her mother died when she was 3 years old and she was adopted by her great aunt and uncle (Mom and Pop). Embraced by Mom and Pop as their own, she was influenced by their strong sense of family and work ethic. Mom had a rolling store while Pop worked on the railroad. They moved to several towns due to railroad jobs, but they would never move during a school year. The importance of education was instilled in Doris at a young age.

Doris would always find the positive aspect of any situation and hold on to it tightly, letting go of negative thoughts. In third grade her home burned to the ground while she was at school. Instead of focusing on her loss, Doris’ memory focused on how wonderful it was that the family across the street took them in to finish out the school year. As an adult, Doris and Bob (husband Robert Clifton Berry) welcomed many guests and temporary boarders into their home in Atlanta.

At the beginning of fifth grade, Doris went blind due to a series of immunizations and missed the entire year of school. As her sight returned, she never took for granted the beauty of vision and the privilege of education. She was a quick study from then on out. When her family moved to Atlanta in 1942 she skipped the 11th grade and graduated from Girls High in 1943. She was accepted to Agnes Scott College and graduated in 1947 with a BA in physics and a minor in math. She was offered a job in Oak Ridge, TN, to work on the atomic bomb, but she turned it down because she already had her sights on her future in Atlanta, with Bob Berry.

During the war years, Doris was often the belle of the ball dancing with soldiers on leave, but she was forever smitten by Bob Berry. Working and saving for their future, they courted for many years before marrying at Druid Hills Baptist Church on June 7, 1952. Doris worked for Southern Bell after college and they honeymooned for five years before starting a family. Bob took dancing lessons to make sure he could keep up with Doris’ love to dance, and he took her to Peachtree Gardens Dance Club every Saturday night.

As a married couple and family they poured their heart and soul into the church and would often be the last family to leave the parking lot. If the doors were open at DHBC, they were there. Doris supported the many activities that her girls enjoyed including the church youth group, girls auxiliary and youth choir.

Doris was predeceased by her husband, Robert (Bob) Clifton Berry and her son in law, Terry Lynn Kilgore. She is survived by her three daughters and two sons in law, Lila Lee (Dolly) Kilgore, Caroline Sangster (Jonathan) and Ginger Verch (Richard) her grandsons Jonathan Sangster (Amanda), James Verch, John Verch and soon to be delivered great grandson Sangster.

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic rules in place at this time, we are limited to 10 people only at the viewing and graveside service on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Therefore, these will be private. Information can be found at www.asturner.com

Donations in her memory can be made to Agnes Scott College where she served for years as the co-chair fundraiser for her class, or Tapestry Memory Care where she received excellent love and care.


Dolly Kilgore, Caroline Sangster, Ginger Verch

Agnes Scott College
In memory of Doris Berry Class of 1947
141 E. College Ave
Decatur, GA 30030
404-471-6000

Tapestry Memory Care
In memory of Doris Berry
9212 Nesbit Ferry Road
Alpharetta, GA 30022
770-992-0505