Jewel Dean Berry, 83, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2013. She was born Jewel Dean Smith on July 23, 1929 in La Ward, Texas. Her family moved to Refugio when she was five. She played bugle in the Drum and Bugle Corps, and was Salutatorian of her high school class. She earned a scholarship to Mary Hardin Baylor and TSCW. She chose TSCW, the Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas. She wanted to be a teacher. She was homesick after her first year and met her husband when she was home from school. They married in 1947 and raised four children. They were married 63 years. 

Right after Mom married she worked for Miss Betty Adkins in the Refugio County Clerk's Office and later managed the First Baptist Church Nursery for over 20 years. She also was in the Women's Auxiliary VFW, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and a faithful prayer warrior in the Prayer Ministry at First Baptist Church, Refugio. During her long battle this past year she never gave up. Her battle cry as a Christian was, “God is good!” She said this often. She touched so many lives with her gift of love, compassion and service. Our family shared our precious Mom with so many. She was a second mom to a lot of people in the community. If she loved you, you knew it.

She is preceded in death by her husband Boyd Harmon 'Tiny' Berry, son Michael Wayne Berry, mother Willie Mae Mullins, and her Grandmother Lyda Thames Martin.

She is survived by her two sons, Ray Berry of Round Rock, Texas and Gary (Arletta) Berry of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Angie (Robert) Berry Leachman of Tomball, Texas; grandchildren: Alexis Leachman, Dakota Leachman, Michael Tompkins Berry and Eric Tompkins Berry.

Visitation was held Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Moore Funeral Home.

Services were held at First Baptist Church in Refugio, Texas on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Jimmy Arnold of First Baptist Church, Woodsboro and Pastor T. Wayne Price of First Baptist Church, Refugio, officiated. Janelle Shepherd provided a piano medley of soft hymns and also accompanied Marcie Peterson as Marcie sang, “Untitled Hymn”, (Come to Jesus) by Chris Rice, Because He Lives and Amazing Grace (acapella).

Burial was at Oakwood Cemetery, in Refugio Texas.

Pallbearers were as follows: Robert Leachman III, Michael Tompkins Berry, Jeff Steele, Eric Tompkins Berry, Bob Hinesley and Glen Smith. Honorary Pallbearers were John Nightingale and Dakota Leachman. 

Donations in her name can be made to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, or The South Texas Children’s Home. 



Thank you to all the friends in Refugio who helped Mom in her later years, especially Ruth Tompkins and Agnes Hearst. A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Mission Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Refugio, especially Jennifer Steele, thank you Dr. Patrick Hays for your love and compassion, thank you to the staff at “The Manor”, and a special thank you to the staff at Refugio Co. Hospital, especially Linda Wilson.