Lilly May Berry

Lilly May Berry, 76, passed away on August 5, 2016 at Foxbridge Assisted Living and Memory Care in Memphis, Tennessee, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was also a long-term breast cancer survivor.

Lilly was born in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, on October 16, 1939 to Susan Ruth Derryberry Berry, née Hart and David Albert Berry. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1969 (Cum Laude), a Master’s of Art in Industrial/Organizational Psychology in 1972, a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology in 1979, and completed a post-doctoral study in Cognitive Psychology in 1979-80. Lilly was awarded the title of Professor Emerita of Psychology by San Francisco State University on May 24, 2005.

Lilly was part of an extended family that included full, half and step siblings. She enjoyed learning immensely and her older half-sister, Laura Lavada Campbell, née Derryberry, was instrumental in affording Lilly the opportunity to attend primary and secondary school until she graduated from 12th grade.

Lilly moved to California in the 1960s where she obtained her undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles. Lilly was married twice, first to Bill Clark and then Adam Pierce. While attending UCLA, she met her lifelong friend and partner, Sam Palmer. Although Lilly and Sam eventually went their separate ways, they remained close lifelong friends.

Lilly accepted a teaching position at San Francisco State University in the Psychology Department in 1981 and was an integral part of the department's nationally ranked Industrial/Organizational graduate program until her retirement in 2004, serving as the program's coordinator for several years. She published many scholarly articles as well as two seminal textbooks in the field, Psychology at work: An introduction to industrial psychology (1997) and Employee Selection (2002). Professor Berry, as her students knew her, was elected Chair of the department in 1994 and served in that capacity for two years. In addition to her many contributions to the Psychology Department, Professor Berry was a part of the interdisciplinary faculty of the well-respected Masters of Public Administration Program at San Francisco State, providing expertise in the areas of human resources management and organizational theory. Her many contributions to the university include chairing the university's Promotion Committee.

After retirement, Lilly established a fund for the Lilly M. Berry Scholarship Endowment in Psychology stating, “I believe in the power of public education. I have not forgotten those whom I never knew personally but who helped me many years ago to get my education.”

Upon retirement, Lilly moved to Port Townsend, Washington, to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an artist and to live near long-time friends, Robyn and Richard Watkyns. She enjoyed many years in Port Townsend attending art classes, developing her artist talents, and exhibiting her art in local art shows. She formed many friendships in this small artist community.

Lilly was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013, and with the assistance of her niece, Vonda Derryberry, and Robyn and Richard Watkyns, she relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, to be closer to family.

Lilly is survived by her brother, Delmer Berry; nieces, Lynn Tennison, Wilma “Billie” Snell, Glennis Cove, Vonda Derryberry, Jacqueline Williams, and Delilah Berry; nephews, Harry Williams, Troy Berry, Kirby Berry, and Terry Derryberry; and several great nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family members, friends, and former colleagues of San Francisco State University.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Susan Ruth Derryberry Berry, née Hart and David Albert Berry, and siblings, James Derryberry, Laura Lavada Cambell née Derryberry, Renee Williams née Derryberry, and Donald Berry

Family and friends will miss Lilly, but we hold decades of wonderful memories. “Say not in grief “she is no more” but live in thankfulness that she was.”
Public visitation is from 10-11 am with the funeral service to follow at 11 am on Saturday, August 13 at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould, AR with Reverend Jaime Jones officiating. Interment follows at Linwood Cemetery.

Memorial gifts to the San Francisco State University Foundation noting “Lilly M. Berry Endowed Scholarship” may be sent by mail to:

Gift Processing
University Development, ADM #153
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132

Memorial gifts can also be made online at http://tinyurl.com/jnkrpbm