Mary Jane Berry Correnti, age 97, a resident of Mena, AR died Wednesday, November 25, 2015 in DeQueen Therapy and Living Center surrounded by her oldest child and her amazing Caregivers.
She was born at home on November 4, 1918, the first daughter of ten children born to Harry F. Lyle and Ella J. Wolfe Lyle, in Holly Springs near Mena. She was an exceptional mother and gardener and was devoted to her church. She was a Catholic and served as a Eucharistic minister for many years, still visiting her “old folks” when she was 90. She was a member of St. Agnes Altar Society.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by Henry W. Berry, the father of her 10 children, and by her second husband, Joseph M. Correnti, Sr., her youngest son, John Peter “Pete” Berry, step-sons, Rev. Joseph Correnti and Vincent Correnti, and son-in-law, Dr. Griffith H. Ferrell, Jr., three brothers and their spouses, John Robert Lyle (Thelma), James Lyle (Frances), Joseph Lyle (Marietta), one sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Michie (Charles), brothers-in-law, Henry Sherrill and Randall Mudd, and sister-in-law, Janet Lyle.
She is survived by three sons, Henry W. Berry (Pauline), Mission Viejo, CA, Dennis A. (Becky) Berry, Bryant, AR, Timothy Berry (Dianne), Mena, AR; six daughters, Mary Jane “Dolly” Ferrell, Arkadelphia, AR, Martha Starling, (Jerry) Chandler, OK, Angela Ward (Lee), St. Hedwig, TX, Connie McMillan (Darrell), Ozark, AR, Gabrielle R. Thrailkill (Daniel, Sr.) DeQueen, AR, and Gemma Fieser (Rick), Moline, IL; daughter-in-law, Chyrel Berry of Mena, AR; thirty-one grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Katherine Mudd, El Paso, TX, Patricia Sherrill, Deckard TN, and Joni Cunningham; brothers, Thomas Lyle, Albuquerque, NM and Michael Lyle (Mary Frances), Nashville, TN; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by a dear friend, Barbara Waller and a faithful furry friend, Sing.
A celebration of her life and visitation will be Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Mena, AR. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, December 3 at 12 Noon with Father Juan Manjarrez as celebrant. Interment will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Rocky, Arkansas.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
I am so sorry for your loss. May GOD be with you in your time of need.
HELLO BERRY FAMILY,
I SEND BLESSINGS OF MUCH LOVE AND HEALING OF SORROW
TO EACH OF YOU! MY LIFE IS BETTER FOR KNOWING AUNT MARY
AND HER GRACIOS HEART. I HOLD HER CLOSE TO MY HEART FOR-
EVER.
PEACE AND LOVE~C0USiN JANA & FAMILY