Funeral service for Haskel Ray Berry will be on Saturday May 25, 2024, at 12 p.m. at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home. Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery at Berlin. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. prior to service.
Haskel Ray Berry, 85, awakened to his heavenly home 21 May 2024. He was born to Chester Ira Berry and Vera Luveda Henry Berry; he shared a birthday with his dad and niece. He was one of eight children and a proud graduate of Holly Pond High School – the Class of ’57. After marrying his high school sweetheart, he attended the University of Alabama Huntsville with coursework in mechanical engineering. He was employed by several Huntsville -based companies and was honored to have received special recognition for his contribution to the United States Space Program (Apollo 11 Mission). He was a pioneer in solar research and development. He relocated to North Carolina and enjoyed a decade of special friendships there. After thirty years of employment, he retired from IBM in 1992 and moved back to Cullman, Alabama (which he fondly referred to as “God’s country”).
Family and legacy were everything to him; he was affectionally known as “Papaw”. He enjoyed taking part in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Recording all the memories, you’d often find him with a camcorder on his shoulder. He enjoyed sports (Roll Tide!), Rook and old western movies. We have to mention his sweet tooth – anything strawberry brought an extra-big smile.
For over six decades, Haskel faithfully served as Sunday School teacher at Unity Baptist, Cullman First Baptist Church and Mooresville First Baptist Church. He was an ordained deacon. He had the privilege of serving in leadership positions with The Gideon International reaching people with the Good News as he prioritized distribution of thousands of Gideon Bibles. Haskel demonstrated a philanthropic focus; he felt there were bonds that unite us all. He was a founding member of the Cullman chapters of Sons of The American Revolution and Sons of Confederate Veterans. Additionally, he was a member of Cullman Masonic Lodge and a 32nd degree member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite and Shriners.
He is preceded in death by his parents, children Keith Lynn and Karla Renee Darnell and brother, Randy.
Haskel is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ellen Marie Stallings Berry. Sons: Kelly (Diana) and Kenneth (Penny) and daughter Kristy (Jay) Keiffer.
Grandchildren: Kal, Kreg (Jana) and Justin (Madigan) Keiffer. Rebekah and Jeremiah Berry. Travis (Shelby) Darnell and Maggie (Hunter) Hopkins. Joshua (Breanna), Hannah Marie, Ben (Nokomi) Berry. Justin (Tabitha) and Tyler (Mary) Rhodes. Jake (Bailey) Wright. Robert and Christopher (Jennifer) Moeller and a host of great-grandchildren.
Siblings: Chester (Anne), Robert, William, Donald (Linda), Henry and Karen Davis and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends near and far.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Gideons International.
