STEPHENSON, Sara Jane Berry "Sally" was taken home to Glory on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, from Dolphins View Health Center, South Pasadena, where she had been a resident the past 7 years. She was born May 19, 1920 at home in Windham Township, PA to the late Harland & Viola Wiggins Berry. She graduated Nichols, NY High School; lived in Binghamton, NY and Oquaga Lake, Deposit, NY more than 20 years before moving to St. Petersburg in 1960. Raised on a farm, Sally loved being outdoors. She enjoyed picnicking, gardening and feeding songbirds, and fancied red flowers, cardinals, and ladybugs. Weather permitting, she took weekly sailing adventures, as in yard sales, scouting for treasures. For many years volunteered in a local charitable thrift store. At home she was a whiz at solving crossword puzzles and had a flair for creating festive arrangements. Family will remember her sense of humor and her hats, always hats. She leaves behind daughter Sara Jane "Sue" Kelley; granddaughter Noelle Kelley; and great-grandsons Tony & Zion McRae, all of St. Petersburg. Widowed in 1964, her son, Ira Stephenson III, passed on in 1996. Also remaining are sisters Bernice Landmesser (and John) of Kissimme and Monroeton, PA, and Hilda Bakeman (and Pete) of Newark Valley, NY; brothers Gordon Berry (and Eleanor) of Clearwater and Rome, NY, and Dale Berry (and Lorene) of Towanda, PA, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Gone ahead are 2 brothers, Melvin and James Berry, and 3 sisters, Grace Hugo, Greta Mowers and Junia Meeker. Memorial service 11 am on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at Grace Bible Church, 555 61st St. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707. In the Spring, her cremains will be taken to the Nichols, NY Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Music Ministry of Grace Bible Church, address above.


Published in St. Petersburg Times on December 12, 2010