BERRY

Elizabeth “Betty” Mae Pigott Berry, 93, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2014.

She was born in Bogalusa on Aug. 11, 1920, to Snyder and Mae Boyet Pigott.

On Oct. 16, 1942, she married Robert Edward “Bob” Berry in Bogalusa, where they made a life on Avenue C. Their home, which was known as the “Honeymoon Cottage,” was blessed with their four children, Joan Elizabeth, Robert MacDonald, Gwendolyn Sue and Sara Ellen.

Betty was raised in Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church, where she remained a member until joining First Presbyterian Church in 1997 to worship with her family. She was a friend of the community and an important member of many organizations throughout her life, including Bluebird and Campfire groups, Bogalusa High School Band Boosters, Happy Homemakers, Daughters of the American Revolution, Confederate Dames, the Old Mobile Society, the First Baptist Church Dominos Club and Creak N’ Groan Coffee Clatch.

As a young woman, Betty worked at the Louisiana State Mental Hospital in Jackson. After her engagement, she began working for the Gaylord Container Corp. as secretary to Mr. Siersdale. Following the birth of her first child, she chose to become a full-time homemaker, as she took great delight in nurturing her family.

After their retirement, Betty and Bob were able to travel extensively in the USA and abroad. They loved to play golf together, and were charter members of the Pearl River Country Club. Betty was fascinated by genealogy, and through her travel and research she was able to trace her family line back to the 14th century. Through the years, she was a Washington Parish Fair ribbon winner for many of her handcrafts and baked goods, winning Best of Show on several occasions.

She is survived by a sister, Nell Pigott Jarrell of Shreveport; two daughters and sons-in-law, Joan and Richard Hortman of Bogalusa, her caretakers, and Sara and Robert Mason of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; her grandchildren, Brian Phillips of Varnado, Ted Phillips, Kevin (Laurin) Hamilton of Jackson, Miss., Christine (Brandon) Hall of Gulf Breeze, Alicia Hortman Hartfield of Bogalusa, Ryan Mason of Pensacola, Fla., and Bethany (Owen) Crooks of Bogalusa; her great-grandchildren, Austin, Anderson, Alexander, Ana Catherine Hartfield, Ellen Day Hall and Jennings Claire Hamilton; and a special fur baby, Gummy Bear Berry.

Her husband, best friend and true love, Bob; her son, Mac; a daughter, Gwen; and her parents preceded Betty in death.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 30, at 11:30 a.m. at Hillview Cemetery on Spring Valley Road in Bogalusa. A memorial service celebrating her life will follow at First Presbyterian Church, 511 Avenue D, Bogalusa, at 12:30 p.m. Because purple was her favorite color, the family requests everyone try to wear some purple. It was Betty’s desire that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Bogalusa or the Bogalusa Help Center in lieu of flowers.

Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To view and sign online, visit www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.