Bobbie Q. Berry

Bobbie Nell Quinn Berry, 84, departed this life on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in her home in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was the daughter of  the late Ella V. Quinn and the granddaughter of the late Samuel and Lucy Quinn. Bobbie Nell was  born on December 20, 1939, in York, South Carolina.  She was preceded in death by her husband John Franklin Berry (2010), her daughter Wandalaine Berry-Burch (2021), her son John Kendrick Berry (2021), sisters Lucy D. Johnson and Jacqueline A. Johnson.

Bobbie Nell was a daughter, granddaughter, educator, communicator, leader, wife, and mother. Largely raised by her grandmother Mrs. Lucy Quinn, Bobbie Nell grew up in York, South Carolina. Life in this small, rural town had its ups and downs, but it probably prepared her to handle all types of opportunities and enriching experiences. At home, the influence of her grandmother, who was a very morally upright person and one very deeply rooted in their Methodist church, made a profound impact on Bobbie Nell. Her cousin Mrs. Doretha Murray, who lived next door, was an early role-model  for her in the community and in church involvement.

Bobbie Nell began her formal education at Jefferson Elementary and Jefferson High School. Always excelling in her studies, she graduated from Jefferson in 1958 as valedictorian of her class. She credits three high school staff members and a special aunt Mrs. Ethel C. Quinn for their influence and intervention in her life. Mr. Harry T. Hartzog, principal, and his wife Mrs. Evelyn R. Hartzog, English teacher, choir leader, and counselor, were instrumental in helping her enroll in Claflin College in Orangeburg, South Carolina. After an interview with the college president and indicating she was willing to accept any job, even cleaning the bathrooms if necessary, to help finance her education, she received a job in the president’s office and a full scholarship. Well-known Charlotte educator Kathleen Crosby also had a strong influence on Bobbie Nell. These leaders were always making sure opportunities were available for young people.

As a student at Claflin, Bobbie Nell was an active, well-liked, and involved student. In addition to her academic course load and job, she actively participated in many extra-curricular activities, including Student Council, the Oxford Club, Women’s Dormitory Council, Academic and Activity Committee, Claflin University Concert Choir, Drama Club, and the SNEA Organization (Student National Education Association). In her sophomore year, she served as SNEA Homecoming Queen. She also served as a Sunday School Teacher while attending Claflin. As a sophomore, Bobbie Nell also joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and remained active in the graduate Delta Zeta Chapter of Charlotte NC. In this chapter, she served as a former chapter President and held several other offices within the chapter. While at Claflin College in the 1960’s, Bobbie Nell marched in a peace rally with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was hosed, and locked up in the stockade with him and others.

At Claflin College, she pursued a degree in education, majoring in English and French. She graduated from Claflin with distinction as magna cum laude. After graduation, she taught for one year in Moore County schools before settling in Charlotte, NC. She taught French and English at J. H. Gunn High School (now J. H. Gunn Elementary School), York Road High School, Independence High School and East Mecklenburg High School. She continued teaching English. Because of her stellar performance, she was selected as one of the teachers to implement an experimental program at the newly opened Independence High School in Charlotte. The program was a success.

In 1973, she began work at Quail Hollow Junior High School as assistant to Mr. Charle Dannelly until the position of Assistant Principal for Instruction was opened to all secondary schools. Bobbie Nell continued her education by earning a master of education degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She remained in administration until her retirement. Even after retirement, she often returned to fill short and long-term administrative vacancies.

During her junior year at Claflin, she married John Franklin Berry, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life.  From this union of 50 years, three children were born. When Bobbie Nell and her family moved into the Smallwood neighborhood, off West Trade Street, in the spring of 1965, it was still largely white.  The pastor of Smallwood Presbyterian Church, Rev. Shelton Hutchinson invited the family to join. Although Bobbie Nell had grown up Methodist, she and her family welcomed the opportunity to become actively involved in this neighborhood church. She joined the choir and later became a ruling elder. Her children joined the children’s choir and participated in all the other children’s programs.

She always took advantage of enriching experiences. In June of 1987, Bobbie Nell was elected the first black moderator of the Presbyterian Synod of North Carolina “in its last year of phasing out programs and preparing to become part of an organization twice its size.” This merger included “Black and white Presbyterians in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia and part of West Virginia to create the 3 million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)” at that time. Bobbie Nell was quoted as saying, “We come, having been a little reluctant to do it, but God calls us and we will respond.”

Bobbie Nell was a woman of faith, with a gentle spirit, warm smile, and positive energy. She loved her family, church, friends, and the Lord with all her heart. She was a warm, caring, and loving person. Just as the role models in her life had done, she always championed the accomplishment of her children and all the people in her life.

To cherish her loving memory are her  daughter Johnetta Berry Hayes, (Stephen) of Lawrenceville, GA; six grandsons: Donald Ray Gaddy II (Candice) of Athens, GA: Ricky-Levon Burch Jr., Johnathan Quinn-Thomas Burch of Charlotte, NC, Stephen G. Hayes III of Sandy Springs; GA, Nicholas A. Hayes of Willis, TX, Jalen M. Hayes of Lawrenceville, GA, and Julian J. Hayes of Lawrenceville, GA; two granddaughters: Kennedy Nelann Berry of Charlotte, NC and Jasmine L. Hayes of Lawrenceville, GA; one great-granddaughter: Madison Denlinger of Athens GA; one brother Ronald (Billy) C. Quinn (Shirley) of Yonkers, New York; and one sister: Jewel Priscilla Quinn Bennett; a host of nieces , nephews, loving cousins and other close relatives and friends.

Link for Live Stream:

https://mpcclt.org/