TRIBUTE TO JAMES CORNELIUS BERRY

James Cornelius Berry was born on June 19, 1899. He died on March 29, 1985. In the more than 85 years of his life he left to us a wealth of good memories.

He was the second child, the first son of the late James Charles and Annie Leila Snipes Berry. He was born in Morganton, N.C. where he lived for only a few years before he moved, with his family, to Biltmore where his father was employed by the late George W. Vanderbilt on the Biltmore estate. After about five years there his family moved again, coming to the home-place of his great grandfather, Allen Bartlett Berry, at the foot of Mineral Springs Mountain.

He spent most of his life in the Valdese area. He was a teenage boy when Abee's Grove Church was organized in the late summer of 1914 and was one of the first persons to join after its organization.

From the very beginning of Abee's Grove Church, J.C. Berry took an active part in its activities. He was first a member of the Sunday School and attended all the worship services. He was president of the first Baptist Young People's Union and served at one time as a leader in the Catawba River Association organization of what is today the Church Training Department.

He served as Sunday School Superintendent for a number of years in the mid 20's and early 30's. He taught Sunday School classes for many years serving mainly in mixed adult classes and later as teacher of Senior Adult Men - a position he held until shortly before his fatal illness which began in December 1984.

He was a deacon and served as chairman for a number of years. In 1982 he was selected by his fellow deacons for Lifetime Honorary Deaconship.

By trade, J.C. Berry was a carpenter and had part in the construction of the original frame church building, the present educational section of our church, and the present sanctuary. He engaged in numerous reconstruction and renovation programs and did many minor repair jobs during the 70 years he was a member of our church.

He served on numerous pulpit committees and was always careful to select pastors whom he felt were God's leaders for our church - especially those who were truly Missionary Baptists.

In his personal life he was a good husband and father. He was married in 1927 to Miss Sallie Hauss. To their union were born a son, Cecil, two daughters Imogene and Nell and another son Arthur who died as an infant. Their's was a Christian home where love and mutual devotion was evident. The daughters have assumed places of faithful service in various capacities throughout the years. Nell, also, brings to our fellowship a husband and three sons who have contributed much in dedicated service to the Lord. Cecil has been hindered in his ability to attend by his Sunday work in the local bakery, but he had a large part in the renovation and furnishing of the memorial room which we dedicate today. Sallie, the wife and mother, a Methodist, served her church faithfully as long as her health permitted.

As we look back in memory on the life of J.C. Berry we are reminded of the words of King David spoken upon the death of one of his soldiers: "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Isreal?" "A prince and a great man" has fallen among us as well.

J.C. Berry departed this earthly life on March 29, 1985 but his great christian influence lives on in our hearts, within the walls of this - his and our church and throughout Abee's Grove community.

We proudly and greatly dedicate to his revered memory this memorial room and this bronze plaque which so signifies.

Our special gratitude is extended to his family and all others who had a part in it. It is with a sence of deep appreciation that we accept the memorial gift and the love which prompted it.