Joseph Manley Berry lived in the “Hometown Pride” community of Roby, Missouri. He was born July 27, 1956, and passed away July 2, 2024. He lived about 200 feet from mom’s trailer on Hartzog Road in Roby; it still sits there, but momma’s beloved “historic” house burned down. His mission in life was to save the world.
His method was simple: Keep it Simply Simple. He said to me bookoo times “Keep it Simple Sis.” KisS picked up his habitual use of the question mark? (Which simply means do you have any questions? Need clarification? Comments? Joe created a website for his consulting business and sent out texts of hope and inspiration daily to friends in his community. On the website he said so many nice things about the businesses in his community (Walt’s Convenience Store in Roby, Dollar General Store in Roby and Evening Shade Family Market). He rested in peace in his bed for a few weeks. A neighbor told me he got the texts daily until they stopped on June 16, 2024.
He is preceded in death by his mother (February 2017), Irene S. Curl, who moved from Colorado to Plato in 1971 with Cecil and four kids. Shortly thereafter they bought “the farm” on Hartzog Road. They were soon empty nesters, except for the youngest daughter. His mother lived out the rest of her life there. She retired after 23 years working at Rawlings in Licking when the plant shut down; father (1966, Jefferson Barricks WWII, St. Louis), John Robert Berry; step-father (1990 WWII veteran), Cecil Curl, English, Indiana; (2016) brother Robert Dean Curl Berry (Leslie) of Colorado, brother (2022) Johnny Ray Berry, Vietnam Veteran and his wife (2021) Beverly Moore Smith Fenton Berry, of Evening Shade and BFF of mother, Irene Curl, and Jessica Berry, niece. After losing Bev, Johnny bunked with Joe at the farm, until his tragic farm accident.
Joe is survived by four nieces and two nephews. His only living first line of succession of relatives in the family tree, now orphaned, sister Sally Ann Berry Ledgerwood (Benjamin (Bennie) 399th Army Band) resident of “Hometown Pride” communities 71-79; 2008-2017, 2024?.
Children born to the first line of succession of family tree are now beneficiaries with Sally of the open probate case of the Estate of Irene Curl.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be great to Angels Home 9411 Peace Chapel Road Plato, Missouri. Also, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.
Please join Sis in lighting a candle or sharing pics and memories for momma, Johnny and Joe. All obituaries can be found at Evans Funeral Home, Houston, Missouri website. Sally added legacy photos. A big big wish. Please check on your frail older disabled veterans/neighbors. A text, “hey u OK. No texts in a while.” A knock on the door.
Joseph M. Berry, father; John Robert Berry, stepfather; Cecil E. Curl; and brother, Johnny Ray Berry will be remembered at the “Last Roll Call & Remembrance” by the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Oct. 31, 2024, at the Veterans Memorial Building. Joe and his brother, Johnny Ray reside at the Fort Leonard Wood Veterans Cemetery in Waynesville, Missouri.
God Bless all God’s children.
Keeping on keeping it Simple. (KisS/Sis/Sally).
