Lottie Mae (Polk) Berry was born to her late parents Albert Polk and Will Ella (Spires) Polk, on April 2, 1928 in Bentonia, Mississippi; where she was also raised. Upon graduating from high school, Lottie underwent special training to become an LPN. This career turned out not to be her cup of tea and she quickly put her sights upon other things.
Lottie had met, and later married, the love of her life,John W. Berry Jr. . As the story is told, they were dating and John one day asked if she wanted to get married. She responded yes and they proceeded to go to the courthouse to wed.
They later notified their parents of their nuptials…. reactions unknown! Lottie and John moved from Mississippi in the late 40’s, eventually migrating to Ohio where their children were raised and educated.
The entire family was baptized into, and became members of, Immaculate Conception Church. Lottie was a devout Catholic, whose faith was very important to her. It was that faith, and the loving care of her family, that sustained her during the final months of her life.
She would often be seen praying and speaking to God. A retiree of the General Electric Company, Lottie held many careers during her lifetime, including: serving as a cook at KSU and Howard Johnson’s and as a Matron at the Portage County Jailhouse. Many will tell you she felt her greatest accomplishments were her children.
She loved to boast of their successes and would state: “Not one of them ever gave me a bit of trouble! ” Prior to becoming ill, Lottie enjoyed walking the track at KSU, bingo, crocheting, crossword puzzles, dining with friends, and grilling. She was very grateful to her dear friends, Helen DiPaola and Alice Hanna, who went out of their way to ensure that she was able to attend church and participate in desired activities for as long as physically possible.
Lottie’s main goal of late was to live to be 90. No one knows exactly why seeing 90 was so very important to her, but it was. Praise God that desire came to fruition and all of her children were with her on her special day, as were a few of her grandchildren.
We are so very grateful for that answered prayer! In addition to her parents, Lottie was preceded in death by John, her sons: Frederick, John III, and Michael and siblings: Addie Polk and Nettie B. Berry. Lottie leaves to cherish her memory her children: Shelby (Evelyn), LaBena (Michael) Fleming, Kenneth, and Albert; grandchildren: Michelle, Sean, Eric, Steven, Michael, Kristina, Kimberly, Marc, Marcilynn, Angela, Emma, and Julia; a host of great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and special cousins.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 6 pm Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 am Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna with Father William Kraynak officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Ravenna.
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