Marguarite “Bootsie” Berryhill, 97, died Aug. 9, 2007 at St. Elizabeth Care Center with her family at her side.
She was buried next to her husband, Ernest “Ernie,” and her daughter, Katherine, at Pine Grove Cemetery in Jasper, Tenn. Her funeral was Aug. 15 at Jasper.
Bootsie was born on Feb. 15, 1910, at Jasper to Oliver and Rosa Castle Woodfin. She was the sixth of eight children. She was raised in the Methodist Church and her personal faith was strong.
Bootsie married Ernie in 1931. They had three children. They spent their married life in Tennessee, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey and Georgia. Ernie died in 1977.
Bootsie was a devoted mother and a wonderful person, her family said. They described her as “sweet, kind and gentle with a great sense of humor.” Her family was her life, they said.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie, and her two daughters: Louise, who died in 1998; and Katherine, who died in 2003.
After Katherine’s death, Bootsie moved to Baker City to be near her son, Raymond, and his family. She lived at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her family expressed appreciation to Dr. Diane Nowak and the staff of St. Elizabeth Care Center for their loving care and support.
Survivors include her son, Raymond, and his wife, Joy; grandchildren, Jill Johnson and Brock Berryhill and his wife, Jenny; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Quinton Johnson; a brother, Clark Woodfin; and her family friend, Frances Carson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Activities Department of St. Elizabeth Care Center or to the Northeast Oregon Compassion Center through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 22, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor