Bertha R. Berry

Bertha Rowe Berry, 97, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Augusta Health in Fishersville. 

She was born in Craigsville to the late Henry Edgar and Bertha Reed Rowe.

Bertha was first married to Rice H. “Sonny” Knicely, Jr. in 1947, with whom she shared five daughters with. For thirty years she was employed as a psychiatric nurse for Western State Hospital where she was known for her compassionate care and dedication to the mental health profession.

In 1980, Bertha found love once again and married William J. Berry who predeceased her on January 17, 2023.

She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Dean, Becky Elia and her husband, Donald, Patricia Mawyer and Cindy Kalan and her husband, Jay; her step-children, Donna Summers and her husband, Bill, Keith Berry and his wife, Sue and Charlie Berry and Louise; her grandchildren, Tammy Roberts, James Rexrode and his wife, Jennifer, James Shannon and his wife, Meg, Joe Elia and his wife, Emily, Amy Rodea and her husband, Laurence, Lori Hazlett and her husband, Kevin, Ryan Shipe, Beau Kalan and his wife, Rali, Sam Kalan, Lexie Kalan and Blake Kalan and his wife, Michelle. She also leaves behind numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many other extended family members.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter, Joyce Shannon; her son-in laws, James Shannon, II and Tommy Mawyer and her twelve siblings, Odell Rowe, Solomen Rowe, Lewis Rowe, Randolph Rowe, Robert Rowe, John Rowe, Roosevelt Rowe, Gladys Michael, Elizabeth Varner, Margaret Ann Rowe, Earl Rowe and Helen Cash.

Per Bertha’s wishes, her body was donated to the Virginia State Anatomical Program in Richmond.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Augusta Health Hospice (c/o Augusta Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939).