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May 22, 1929 — May 1, 2023

Iris Gillis Berry, 93, born May 22, 1929, a native of Mendenhall, Mississippi and a lifelong resident of Berwick, Louisiana, passed away Monday, May 1, 2023 at her home.

Iris Gillis Berry was married to her high school sweetheart for 42 years, the late Mayor of Berwick, Everett S. Berry. She is survived by their three children: Belinda Kay Berry LaCoste of Carrollton, Texas; Ronald Everett Berry and his wife Mary Margaret Russo Berry of Morgan City, Louisiana; and Joe’al Stormont Berry and his wife Barbara Bell Berry of Patterson, Louisiana.

Iris was an avid Bible scholar, researching the scriptures, seeking answers to many unanswered questions. Her love for God has touched many lives, bringing souls into the Kingdom, one life at a time. In the late 1950’s, Iris helped grow the Berwick Baptist Mission into the First Baptist Church of Berwick, Louisiana. Over a span of sixty years, Iris taught in the many facets of several Baptist churches, primarily with youth and the young ladies of the Baptist G.A. (Girls Auxiliary) whom she fondly called “My Girls”.

She also taught Kindergarten for Pastor Dr. Thomas De Laughter who became Professor at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

She took vital parts in her community, serving as Board Member for the St. Mary Genealogical and Historical Society, The Literacy Council, The Everett S. Berry Lighthouse Board, and two terms on the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She served as Hospital Director of Fairview Hospital in Bayou Vista, Louisiana and as Councilwoman on the Berwick Town Council.

Iris was a remarkable lady and known to most as “Miss Iris”. She was an exceptional author and had been writing for many years, storing her work away until later discovered and encouraged to publish her stories into books. She spent a lot of time on her computer finishing the next book, while feeding the menagerie of stray cats that wandered in and took up residence.

She delighted in hosting family gatherings and visitors in for coffee or tea and had enjoyed decorating and displaying 100 plus unique Christmas trees with themes from around the world, inviting guests in to enjoy their beauty.

Her love for music began at a very young age. She studied opera with Lib Davis of New York and Professor Frank Slater of Jackson, Mississippi. She was thrilled to sing the Messiah under the noted Director Joe Santo.

Iris is also survived by her husband of 26 years, Stanley A. Dearhamer of Berwick, Louisiana; her grandchildren: Luke Everett LaCoste and James McKinley LaCoste of Carrollton, Texas; Jody Paul LaCoste and his wife Erin Kelly LaCoste of Montgomery, Texas; Chad Joseph LeBoeuf and his wife Sandra Mendes LeBoeuf of DeRidder, Louisiana; Joshua Charles King and his wife Brooke Beeson King of Humble, Texas; Brooke Anne Berry of Houma, Louisiana; Joseph Everett Berry and Ava Jane Berry of Patterson, Louisiana; thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Dr. Buford Eugene Berry of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a host of nieces and nephews. Survivors also include the children of Carl and Nita Ivey with whom she considered extended family for over seventy years.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Everett S. Berry; her parents, Charles Warner Gillis, Sr. and Zona Lee May Gillis; two infant brothers; one older brother, Charles Warner Gillis, Jr.; a son-in-law, Kurt LaCoste; her father-in-law, Buford Everett Berry; Buford’s second wife, Alleyne Coker Berry; a brother-in-law, Doyle Galloway Berry and his wife, Dawn Claire Wilson Berry. Also, preceding her was her sister-in-law, Johannah Wamble Berry; Everett S. Berry’s Mother, Kathryn Stormont Berry; and her dearest friend, Nita Ivey.

Funeral Services for Iris Gillis Berry will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023 at First Baptist Church, 1915 Victor II Boulevard, Morgan City, Louisiana. Visitation from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. The Funeral Service begins at 11:00 A.M. with Pastors Tracey Smith and Bert Langley officiating. Interment will follow at the Berwick Memorial Cemetery.

The Berry family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to her caregivers, who showed the utmost care and concern for their Mother.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Twin City Funeral Home, Morgan City, Louisiana.

Patterson Garden Club took a day trip to Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow on April 17. They experienced a cool day touring the gardens and eating lunch in the cafe. Top photo, from left are Sandra Marshall, Iris Roy, Juanita Bienvenu, President Ginger Griffin, Sharon Larson, Evelyn Estay and Donna Bates Ruffin at the Houmas House.

DEAR ABBY: My son recently confided that his fiancée is pregnant with our first grandchild. He asked me not to share this information with my wife, his mother. He knew she would be upset because he was in the process of breaking up with his fiancée. I told him I would keep his confidence for a short while, but that he should please tell Mom soon.
Two weeks went by before my son finally told his mom about the pregnancy. She was shocked. On the way home, she asked if I had known about it. Well, my life flashed before my eyes. I couldn’t lie, so I admitted I knew. She became furious with me and said I should have prepared her for this news and had thrown her under the bus. A big argument followed. Was I wrong to keep my son’s confidence?
IN RETROSPECT IN GEORGIA

DEAR IN RETROSPECT: No, you were not wrong. Because you were asked to keep this in confidence, it was not “your” news to share.
Your adult son asked you to keep this to yourself, and it would have been wrong to betray it before he was ready to tell his mother himself. Even if he breaks up with his partner, that baby will be a part of all of your lives for the foreseeable future. Move forward and put this spat to rest.

DEAR ABBY: After 17 years, my hubby and I separated. He met someone else and fell head over heels for her. Now he’s back, but life with him is so different. He shows me no affection, no caring, never a passionate kiss. Our relationship is not the way it used to be.
There is no talking with him, and he calls me all sorts of names — something he never did before. He tells me he loves me, but he doesn’t demonstrate it. When he comes to bed he sleeps at the edge of the bed with no cuddling or sex. What is a woman to do? I truly love him.
CRYING IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR CRYING: It appears your husband may not have returned to you willingly. Tell him you can no longer live the way you have been and offer him the “option” of marriage counseling to see if your very sick relationship can be put back on track.
If the answer is no, as much as you love him, rather than continue tolerating the emotional abuse you are experiencing, get the heck out of that “marriage.”

DEAR ABBY: My husband’s father is an alcoholic who lives with my husband and me and our two teens. I buy and prepare his food, put gas in his car and buy his alcohol. I even take his dog out. (If I don’t, he lets the dog pee in my house and destroy the wood floors.)
When he drinks, he gets angry and threatens my husband and me. He let his dog defecate in my driveway one day and then proceeded to come after us. When I finally had enough of his badgering, I picked it up and put it on the hood of his car.
Was I wrong?
LIVING WITH THE DEVIL

DEAR LIVING: I think so, but what does your husband think about all of this? Is he so used to Dear Old Dad’s antics that he accepts them as normal? A way to put an end to your father-in-law’s abuse would be to stop buying the gas and his booze. Of course, he won’t like that, but if he becomes threatening when he’s loaded, it’s the only way short of evicting him to protect yourself and your teenagers from his outbursts.
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To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

March 21, 1936 — April 29, 2023

Mary Lou Theriot, age 87, of Morgan City, LA passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, April 29, 2023. She was born on March 21, 1936 to the late Agne and Annette Veyre Bollotte in Morgan City, LA.

Mary Lou was an adoring wife, mother and grandmother who instilled the importance of family in her children. She had an amazing zest for life and was happiest when surrounded by and entertaining those she loved. She was a wonderful seamstress and cook. She enjoyed being outdoors, hot coffee, soaking in sunshine from her favorite swing, red birds, chocolate, life’s simple pleasures, and all things family. She deeply treasured her Catholic faith and the Lord.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Jerry Joseph Theriot; her parents; and brothers, Ferdinand and Maurice Bollotte.

She leaves to cherish her memory to her daughters, Dena Thibodeaux (Chris), Trina Percle (Bobby) and Marisa Nardoni (Cory); sons, Troy Theriot (Elizabeth) and Neal Theriot, Sr. (Sherri). She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Jeremy Dykes, Taryn Dykes and her companion Gerald Wiese, Seth Percle (Krisi), Ryan Percle (Kristin), Emily Norton (Keith), Katherine Theriot, Kristina Theriot, Katelyn Theriot, David Hayes, Neal Michael Theriot, Jr., Makayla Theriot and her companion Kaden Winters, Bailey Nardoni and Kelsey Nardoni; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Ruby Beadle; brother, Manuel Bollotte (Jerri).

Family and friends of Mary Lou are invited to attend the Visitation on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Holy Cross Catholic Church from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian
Burial immediately following. She will be laid to rest in Morgan City Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers are Troy Theriot, Neal Theriot, Sr., Neal Michael Theriot, Jr., Bobby Percle, Cory Nardoni, Bailey Nardoni, Jeremy Dykes and Jett Lodrigue.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com (http://www.hargravefuneralhome.com/) for the Theriot family.