John Faye Berry
John Faye Berry, 86, went home to his Lord and Savior on March 22, 2024, at Saluda Nursing Center surrounded by his loved ones.
Born in Saluda on February 6, 1938, to the late John Raymond Berry and Caronell Jones Berry. He met his wife Sybil Daye Tallon Berry in 1957 and married on October 18, 1959. A graduate of Ridge Spring High School, Mr. Berry participated in the band, FFA, and took music lessons. He was a Seargent in the SC National Guard 122 ENG Company of Saluda. He was a faithful member of Richland Springs Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and was the Music Director for over 50 years.
He had a passion for music where he was a member of a Berry family quartet and sang at numerous family functions, weddings and funerals. He continued singing Hymns at the Saluda Nursing Center until his health declined.
While in high school, Mr. Berry continued on a family tradition of raising chickens and started a cattle operation. Over time he expanded his farm with more pastureland and row crop operations which lives on today through his children and grandchildren. Through the years he began operating heavy construction equipment which was known as J. F. Berry Construction. His construction business expanded to include mining clay for Santee Cement in Holly Hill S.C. During this period of his life Mr. Berry and family purchased the property formerly known as Golden Glow Dairy in Lexington, SC to construct and develop what is now known as Golden Hills Golf and Country Club.
Mr. Berry was very active in community service. He served as President of the Saluda Young Farmers Association, President of the South Carolina Young Farmers, President of the Saluda Jaycees, President of Saluda County Farm Bureau, Treasurer of the National Young Farmers Association and was a member of the Saluda County Cattleman’s Association. He was also named South Carolina Young Farmer of the Year in 1967. He was member of Clemson University’s athletic scholarship program, IPTAY, for over 60 years.
He had a passion for antique John Deere Tractors and assisted in the founding of Richland Creek Antique Power Association. The association held its first Richland Creek Antique Fall Festival in 1996 on his farm and continues on today.
Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Sybil, his son John Chadwick (Chad) Berry (Tara) of Saluda, a daughter, Catherine Dian Berry of Lexington, a brother, Alvin N. Berry
(Evelyn) of Little Mountain, two sisters, Marguerite Johnson of Rock Hill and Ranelle Hughey of Simpsonville and three grandchildren, John Alexander Berry, Thomas Zachary Berry and Sarah Catherine Berry.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2024, at Richland Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Darrell Engle officiating. Interment will follow in Saluda Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Boy’s Farm, P.O. Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108, Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648, or Richland Springs Baptist Church, Music Department, 6595 Duncan Road, Ward, SC 29166.
Please share your memories and condolences online at www.rameyfuneralhome.com.
