THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT, Orangeburg, SC, 9 Jul 2009: Orangeburg -

Mrs. Alma Rae Smith Berry, 83, of Orangeburg, died Wednesday afternoon, July 8, 2009, at The Oaks. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, at First Southern Methodist Church, with the Rev. Bedford Landers and the Rev. Marvin Clark officiating.

Burial will be in Bowman Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas Carroll Ott, John McCray Weathers, Oliver Weathers, Herman Weathers, Charles Austin, Bruce Hughes, Kenneth Ott and Jimmy Weathers.

Mrs. Berry was born in Orangeburg, a daughter of the late John Watson and Fannie Estelle Whetsell Weathers. She was a retired secretary from Orangeburg District Five public schools. She was a member of First Southern Methodist Church and a member of the Berean Sunday School Class.

Mrs. Berry was first married to the late Marion Joseph Smith Jr. and was the widow of Robert Julius Berry.

Survivors include two sons, J. Larry Smith and wife, Ada, of Bowman and J. Rodney Smith and wife, Liz, of Cope; sister, Thomas Charles (Louise) McSwain of Colbert, Ga.; five grandchildren, Philip Smith and wife, Robin, Daniel Smith and wife, Diana, Kristie Smoak, Courtney Smith and Joseph Smith; six great-grandchildren, Ellison Smoak, Riley Smoak, Tori Smith, Jacob Smith, James Smith and Hollison Smith; stepchildren, Rita Dickerson and husband, Woody, of Cayce, Jimmy Berry and wife, Barbara, of Lexington, Cathy Lowder and husband, Danny, of Chester, Va., Gary Berry and wife, Susan, of Lexington, Phillis Guthrie and husband, Luke, of Daniel Island; 13 step-grandchildren; a step-great-grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, at First Southern Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice. Dukes-Harley Funeral Home of Orangeburg is in charge of arrangements.