Ronald Berry

I buried my favorite cousin yesterday. Ronald Berry was childlike in his glee, mirthful in his relationships. His Deputy Dog laugh - a breathy, face scrunching laugh - infected everyone. He could be exasperating and embarrassing. But all of us Berrys loved him.

As people entered the church, they listened to music from Ronald's 1970s and 1980s band Raincrow. Frank thought we were listening to Lynrd Skynrd; but, no, it was Ronald and his buddies. Many of his band members were there, wearing bandanas tied to their arms in solidarity with their missing vocalist. Sam was there, lookin' good and wearing only one bandana. (In the old days, he tied seven or eight around his leg.)

Beau trudged into the church late, walked directly to the front, opened his guitar case, and then made everyone cry with "Fire and Rain" - "Just yesterday morning, they let me know you were gone...." My heart broke. Trish sang "Amazing Grace" a capella and filled the church with her beautiful voice and her heartfelt sorrow. And then at the grave side service, Beau sang "Wild Horses." I was reminded of August when Ronald spent the weekend with us. Steve Markley and Gary Due played music on the porch, and we coerced Ronald into singing "Honky Tonk Women." He sang with heart and soul and danced like Mick Jagger.

But the true Ronald shone through. The power point presentation showed him with his kills - turkeys, fish, and lots and lots of deer. The program given to his friends and family members at the door had two deer on the cover. The spray on his casket had a large cross in the center surrounded by natural grasses and plants with deer nestled in its midst.

The Sweeneys were there - Brutus and Hurtus. Tim and Mary. I love those guys.
Randy and Kile were there.
Aunt Wilma was there. I'm not sure she knew what was happening.
Roylene - I worry about her. My dear cousin missing her brother - her sadness was like a shell surrounding her.

So I say goodbye to my big hearted, comedic cousin with the crazy hair who loved to take out his teeth, steal kids' food, wrestle, dance, sing, hunt, drink, be with his family. You will be missed.