Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Berry, age 83, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at her residence on Monday, June 16, 2025.

She was the daughter of the late Eddie L. Martin and Ina Lucille Gilcrease Martin, and was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill Berry, and her uncle, Tom Bill Gilcrease.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Kaye Frances Berry Willis and husband Lawrence; her son, Thomas Ray Berry; and a legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who adored her: Lacey Elizabeth Willis, Laura Elizabeth Simpson and husband Chandler, MyRanda Tolar Lowe, Weslynn Kait Lowe, and Sawyer Monroe McDonald. She also leaves behind a much-loved member of the extended family, Ethan Toothman.

To her family, she was lovingly known as "MawMaw"—a title she wore with warmth and grace. More than a grandmother, Mary was a devoted musician, teacher, and the maker of the world's best banana pudding. Through gentle guidance, home-cooked meals, and comforting hugs, she poured herself into the lives of her family, friends, and students. Always dependable, she never hesitated to answer a last-minute call for a ride from school or to step in whenever needed.

A gifted musician from an early age, Mary faithfully served as organist at Laurel Heights Baptist Church for many years and later as pianist at First Baptist Church of Dodson. Her ministry through music touched countless lives across churches throughout Winn Parish and beyond. She lived out the words of Colossians 3:16:
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…"—and did so with grace, reverence, and joy.

When not in the kitchen or at the piano preparing hymns for Sunday worship, she and PawPaw could be found chasing after grandkids, embodying the quiet strength of unconditional love. Her home was a haven of peace and comfort, where the hardest questions she asked were whether you wanted Scoops or Doritos with your Rotel dip—or if your toast should be cut into triangles or squares. According to Wes, she also made the best ham sandwiches and fried eggs in the world.

She always parted with a familiar and loving farewell: "Bye, I love y'all; y'all come back and see me."

Though her presence will be deeply missed, we rejoice in knowing she is at peace—happily reunited with her beloved Bill and forever alive in our hearts.

Funeral services celebrating Mary's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield, with Reverends Gary Robertson, Mitchell Miles, and Norris Curry officiating. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Thursday, June 19, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and again on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chandler Simpson, Kelly Irvin, Dennis Pardue, Brannon Hayes, Ethan Toothman, and Brandon Womack. Honorary pallbearers include Kelley Martin & the employees of JKM, Kelvin Sandifer, Jim Bob Jones, Steve Thomisee, and Lawrence Willis.